Author Archives: TCYSAPC

About TCYSAPC

Travis County Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition

Hidden in Plain Sight: Legal Substances Putting Children at Risk

Posted on January 19, 2026 by TCYSAPC

Do Whippets Kill Brain Cells? | Banyan Treatment CenterPharmacists address the hidden risks of legal substances like nitrous oxide and kratom, emphasizing the need for public education and safety measures.   Substances marketed as “legal” or “natural” alternatives are increasingly accessible to adolescents through gas stations, convenience stores, and vape shops. Although legality may reassure consumers, pharmacists are seeing

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Is the fentanyl crisis slowing down?

Posted on January 17, 2026 by TCYSAPC

The U.S. is making progress against one of its most devastating public-health threats: drug overdoses.⁠ ⁠ Over the 12 months ended in October 2024, the country saw a 25% decline in overdoseNew research indicates a significant shift in the fentanyl crisis, with a major disruption in the illegal fentanyl market possibly linked to actions by the Chinese government which may have contributed to a sharp decline in overdose deaths in the U.S. and Canada starting in mid-2023 and continuing into … Continue to full story .......

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Trump administration reversed course on defunding substance use recovery and mental health grants

Posted on January 15, 2026 by TCYSAPC

Naloxone Distribution and Opioid Overdose Safety Kits | South Carolina Department of Public HealthThe Trump administration reversed course just after notifying thousands of organizations across the country that their substance use recovery and mental health grants were being terminated.  Democratic lawmakers criticized President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over the terminations after they came to light mid January.

The cuts

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Hemp advocates say hiking licensing fees from $150 to $20,000 would shutter small businesses

Posted on January 13, 2026 by TCYSAPC

Hemp in Food FAQs | Minnesota Department of AgricultureTexas state health officials have proposed raising licensing fees by as much as 13,000% for some hemp businesses, among a slate of changes that many industry members and advocates say will shutter small operations in favor of large out-of-state companies.  Supporters of this change say this is necessary to strengthen

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Understanding Teen Substance Use in 2025 and talking points for parents about teen substance use.

Posted on November 7, 2025 by TCYSAPC
Elsa Olofsson/Unsplash

Risk-taking and testing limits are a regular part of adolescent development. Many teens experiment with drugs, alcohol, or over-the-counter substances during this period. While the desire to experiment isn’t new, the landscape of substance use has changed dramatically for today’s parents.  Key points:

  • Family history of substance use,
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Hays County man faces murder charge after 17 year-old teen dies of fentanyl overdose

Posted on November 7, 2025 by TCYSAPC

A Hays County man is facing a murder chargeDEA breaks down coded emojis used in teen drug trade after a 17-year-old girl died from a fentanyl overdose, according to a Travis County affidavit.  The affidavit revealed the man to be 19-year-old Jaden Elijah Sendejo.  The Travis County Sheriff’s Office said the 17-year-old was found unresponsive, face down in her … Continue to full story .......

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Llano police issue warning after 3 people overdose on synthetic drug nitazene

Posted on October 18, 2025 by TCYSAPC

Nitazenes | "New" Opioids Stronger Than Fentanyl | BrooksThe Llano Police Dept. issued a warning after three overdose cases reported in the last month were linked to the synthetic drug nitazene. Llano police say the toxicology screens of the overdose patients showed nitazenes. Nitazenes are synthetic opioids that are significantly stronger than fentanyl, according to the DEA. In

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Focus on health shifting how Americans think about alcohol as heavy drinking linked to many negative health conditions

Posted on October 17, 2025 by TCYSAPC

Is a generational shift underway in how Americans think about alcohol? A new Gallup poll from July 2025 finds that 53% of Americans now say that moderate drinking is bad for health. That’s up from 45% just last year. Among young adults, the change is even sharper: half of 18- … Continue to full story .......

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California Study: Daily pot use by teens on the rise; greater health risks

Posted on October 15, 2025 by TCYSAPC

A new study showed that daily use of marijuana among teens is on the rise – leading researchers to call for “stronger guardrails” to protect against “more frequent, problem use, high-potency products and aggressive marketing.”  The peer-review study of 370,000 California teens shows teen use has gone up since recreational

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Texas Hemp And Alcohol Stakeholders Push Back On ‘Heavy Handed’ Proposed Rules In Meeting With Officials

Posted on October 15, 2025 by TCYSAPC

THC Vape Pens Are Now Banned in Texas: 5 Things You Should Know | Texas DefendersTexas hemp and alcohol industry stakeholders are urging officials to ramp down proposed hemp regulations to provide more leniency as the state implements new rules to prevent youth access to intoxicating products.  At a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) public meeting on Thursday, the agency presented draft rules that businesses

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Governor Abbott directs DPS to increase hemp enforcement

Posted on October 15, 2025 by TCYSAPC

AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to toughen enforcement action against vape and smoke shops that are not in compliance with state laws and regulations. “Texas will protect children from dangerous hemp products,” said Governor Abbott.

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APD North Metro Tactical Unit Makes Significant Strides in Combating Drug-Related Crimes

Posted on September 26, 2025 by TCYSAPC

The Austin Police Department (APD) North Metro Tactical Unit  conducted an extensive investigation over the past two months into seven high-crime areas identified as “hotspots” in North Austin. In total, 19 individuals have been arrested during these operations for a range of offenses, marking a crucial step towards restoring safety … Continue to full story .......

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