As Washington considers reclassifying pot – Daily marijuana use surpasses daily drinking in US, study finds

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Fentanyl is fueling a record number of youth deaths a trend shocking many pediatricians who are unprepared to provide counseling on opioid addiction

Fentanyl, a pervasive killer in America’s illicit drug supply, is increasingly landing in the hands of teens across the region and nation, worrying providers who say treatment options for youths are limited. Across the country, fentanyl has largely fueled a more than doubling of overdose deaths among children

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“Spencer! Spencer! Spencer! Wake up!”  He didn’t. FENTANYL TOLL IN TRAVIS COUNTY .

FENTANYL POISONING: Spencer Wheeler's StoryMay 19, 2024 —  Austin American-Statesman  — Lisa Wheeler struggled to sleep. She tossed and turned and finally woke up at about 8 a.m. on Sept. 15, 2022. Following her normal routine, she went upstairs to wake her 17-year-old son, Spencer.  She opened the door and saw him lying in Continue to full story .......

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How to get Naloxone and training

At Naloxone Texas, we distribute life-saving naloxone and evidence-based training to organizations and individuals across Texas. Naloxone Distribution: Fast and Free –
For Organizations: Get Naloxone 
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In a scenario involving opioid overdose, every second counts. Our program strives to

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Travis County is shifting focus to prevent overdose deaths as fentanyl ravages the area

An Austin-Travis County EMS vehicle parked outside of St. Davidís North Austin Medical Center on July 7, 2020.

When Travis County Judge Andy Brown got a phone call two weeks ago about a rash of overdoses that claimed at least eight lives in Austin over a span of 27 hours, he knew the dark day he had been preparing for had arrived.  When the dust settled, the number

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Austin opioid crisis: Over 7000 narcan kits to be distributed across Travis County

Congress man Lloyd Doggett secured $2 million in appropriated federal funding.  Part of the $2 million will go toward the purchase and local distribution of 7,500 Narcan kits, equal to 15,000 individual doses, along with the expansion of various outreach and educational programs.  It came on the heels of a … Continue to full story .......

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Documents, interviews show how agencies responded to April 29th rash of deadly overdoses in Austin

The rush of 911 calls from downtown AustinHow to Use Narcan to Reverse an Opioid Overdose was the first clue about the wave of overdoses to come.  At least 10 EMS units were sent to an alley near a nightclub on East Seventh Street and began treating people for overdoses after 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 29. One man … Continue to full story .......

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Why deaths related to Austin’s ‘overdose outbreak’ may not be ruled an overdose; Texas law will allow authorities to pursue murder charges

Austin-Travis County EMS (ACTEMS) has seen nearly 80 overdoses since Monday linked to multiple drugs like Xanax, K2 and crack cocaine. However, medics believe the “deadly batch” of narcotics in Austin is laced with fentanyl. Under House Bill 6, which became law in 2023, any death in Texas linked

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ATCEMS: Austin’s ‘largest opioid overdose outbreak’ in years comes to an end

Opioid epidemic: Overdose outbreak in Austin kills 8 people | FOX 7 AustinAUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s largest “overdose outbreak” in nearly 10 years is officially over, according to Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS). On Friday, ATCEMS declared opioid overdoses have returned to their usual level following an uptick that started early last week.  “While some opioid overdoses continue, we are

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Use of Legal ‘Delta-8-THC’ Is Rising Among Teens – Is it Safe? Few Safeguards, Concerns for Health Risks

Delta 8 THC Gummies (125 mg) | Very Potent Sleeping Aid | Chronic Pain –  Rogue ShopMarch 12, 2024 (HealthDay News) — They’re cheap, easy to buy and now new research shows they have become the buzz of choice for American teens. Delta-8-THC products, which include gummies and vapes, are legal in 22 states and Washington, D.C. There is no federal minimum age requirement for buying

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Increased Risk for Suicide Attempts Among Children Who Use Tobacco Products

Children who use tobacco products have significantly higher odds of suicide attempts up to 2 years following use. Children who report the use of tobacco products — including e-cigarettes and vaping — have a 3 to 5 times increased risk for suicide attempts (SAs), according to study results published in

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

 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,

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