Resolution aims to increase partner collaboration to reduce fatal overdoses and provide prevention, harm reduction, recovery services and treatment.
City of San Antonio, Metropolitan Health News Release — The San Antonio City Council has passed a resolution declaring overdoses a public health crisis in response to the rising number of overdose-related deaths.
In 2023, more than 2,000 people in the U.S., including 9 people in Bexar County, died every week from drug overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Bexar County has a higher mortality rate than the state-wide average for both stimulant-related and opioid-related deaths, with 58 percent of overdose deaths by drugs in Bexar County. So far, the City of San Antonio has allocated $909,000 from the opioid settlement funds to the Metropolitan Health District to support public health efforts in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
This resolution focuses on strengthening prevention and harm reduction programs designed to reduce the risk of both fatal and non-fatal overdoses. Additionally, the resolution calls for expanding access to treatment and recovery services for individuals battling substance use disorders.
“Today’s resolution marks a crucial step forward in our commitment to protecting the overall health of our community,” said Dr. Claude A. Jacob, Metro Health Director. “The rising number of overdose-related deaths, both nationally and locally, demands urgent action and ongoing vigilance. Together, we are expanding our response to this crisis by ensuring that more individuals have access to the care and the services that they need to heal and thrive.”
The City will partner with Bexar County, community organizations, healthcare providers and public safety agencies to respond to crises and create a healthier, safer, and more equitable community. This collaborative work will help to mitigate the potential impacts of this crisis by ensuring more equitable access to care.
“Our local harm reduction organizations that are on the frontlines of the opioid crisis have been calling for San Antonio to tackle this epidemic that has tragically cut too many lives short,” said District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo. “This resolution is more than just words on a paper – it is a call to recognize that when we scale our efforts with the County, we can save more lives.”
