Travis County has ‘twice as many’ opioid deaths compared to other Texas counties, says ATCEMS

Posted on March 27, 2024 by TCYSAPC

 According to a presentation by Austin-Travis County EMS, Travis County is outpacing other Texas counties in opioid overdose deaths.  During a City Council Public Safety Committee meeting, ATCEMS highlighted disturbing data that shows the opioid crisis touched every part of the community.  The 2023 data is not available yet,

… Continue to full story .......
Posted in News | Leave a comment

Move over vape … Zyn nicotine pouches are flying off shelves and critics say they’re dangerous for kids

Posted on February 10, 2024 by TCYSAPC
… Continue to full story .......
Posted in News | Leave a comment

Stress is a key factor driving some teens to drugs and alcohol, CDC study warns

Posted on February 10, 2024 by TCYSAPC

The most common reason that teens said they turned to drugs and alcohol was to feel mellow, calm or relaxed, with nearly three-quarters citing this reason. Many other top reasons were related to methods to cope with stress, with 44% saying they use substances to stop worrying about a problem

… Continue to full story .......
Posted in News | Leave a comment

Texas consistently underfunds tobacco prevention programs according to American Lung Association report

Posted on February 1, 2024 by TCYSAPC

Texas has consistently underfunded programs designed to prevent and reduce tobacco use, according to a new report from the American Lung Association.  Texas received mostly failing grades in the organization’s annual report, which evaluates states’ work to cut tobacco use and help people who are addicted to nicotine.  In 2023,

… Continue to full story .......
Posted in News | Leave a comment

Study says High school students who use alcohol, cannabis or nicotine are at higher risk for mental health disorders

Posted on February 1, 2024 by TCYSAPC

High school students who reportedLegalize It But Don't Normalize It: Three Teens Speak Out Against High School Drug Culture | KQED using alcohol, cannabis or nicotine were more likely to have symptoms of mental health disorders than those who did not — even at low levels of usage, according to a new study published on Monday by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the University

… Continue to full story .......
Posted in News | Leave a comment

Protecting Youth In The Context Of Marijuana Legalization: Creating A Legal And Regulatory Framework

Posted on January 22, 2024 by TCYSAPC

Lessons from tobacco and alcohol can avoid repeating past mistakes that led to high rates of underage drinking and, more recently, a youth nicotine vaping crisis.  Research shows that there are a number of effective ways to protect youth from marijuana use and that states must adopt a legal … Continue to full story .......

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Austin man gets 60 years for fentanyl possession/intent to deliver; Denton teen charged with murder for fentanyl death

Posted on January 22, 2024 by TCYSAPC

A repeat offender from Hays County was recently found guilty of fentanyl possession with intent to deliver, resulting in a 60-year sentence.  District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced Friday that 44-year-old Tony Robert Barrera III  was also found guilty of felon possession of a firearm, landing him another 50 years

… Continue to full story .......
Posted in News | Leave a comment

Washington Bill Aims to Raise Legal Cannabis Age to 25

Posted on January 17, 2024 by TCYSAPC

Close-up photo of marijuana concentrate.Specifically, this bill would increase the minimum legal age of sale of cannabis products with a THC concentration greater than 35%—to 25 years—with an exception for qualifying patients and designated medical providers. According to the bill’s sponsors, high-THC cannabis products pose physical and mental harms that must be addressed.

The … Continue to full story .......

Posted in News | Leave a comment

New law keeps at-risk young Texans out of legal system; HB 3186 allows courts to refer at-risk youth to diversion programs

Posted on January 4, 2024 by TCYSAPC

A new law in Texas aims to keep at-risk young people out of the juvenile justice system. House Bill 3186 will allow courts to refer at-risk youth to crime diversion programs before they have been convicted of certain crimes. Class C misdemeanors include things like underage drinking, possession of drug

… Continue to full story .......
Posted in News | Leave a comment

Delay Onset of Substance Use: New Data On Teenage Substance Use Is Here, And It’s Not What You Expect

Posted on December 30, 2023 by TCYSAPC

Findings from the 2023 Monitoring the Future survey show that teen alcohol use continues to decrease. Yet, while the majority of teens who try alcohol don’t develop a problem, the majority of people with a drinking problem started using as teens. The best way to reduce a young person’s risk

… Continue to full story .......
Posted in News | Leave a comment

Now a Class B Misd. to sell e-cigarettes with images celebrities or cartoons on their packaging to minors

Posted on December 30, 2023 by TCYSAPC

Restricting advertising e-cigarettes to minors: House Bill 4758 makes it a class B misdemeanor to sell e-cigarette products that use images of food, celebrities or cartoon characters on their packaging, in an effort to slow vaping use among minors. More than two million K-12 students use e-cigarette products nationwide, according … Continue to full story .......

Posted in News | Leave a comment

New House Bill will offer diversion for minors charged with Class C Misd.; like Minor in Possession of Alcohol

Posted on December 30, 2023 by TCYSAPC

Diverting minors charged with Class C misdemeanors: House Bill 3186 creates an alternative to fines for minors charged with class C misdemeanors, such as petty theft or possession of alcohol, instead allowing them to be enrolled in “diversion plans” designed to support them. The law outlines several options for programs, … Continue to full story .......

Posted in News | Leave a comment