Austin Sees Significant Drop in Opioid Overdose Deaths Thanks to Naloxone Access and Community Training
Austin, Texas — Opioid-related deaths in Austin and Travis County have declined significantly, thanks to a $2 million federal grant that expanded access to naloxone and funded broad community training efforts. During a press conference on June 10, Mayor Kirk Watson credited the initiative with saving lives and strengthening the city’s response to the opioid crisis.
“We’ve seen a real decrease in overdose deaths here in Austin,” Watson stated. “But this isn’t just about numbers — it’s about families staying whole, neighbors looking out for one another, and building a safer, more connected community.”
The grant, secured through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in May 2023, supported the distribution of more than 24,000 doses of naloxone, a fast-acting medication that reverses the effects of opioid overdoses. It also funded training for over 1,100 community members through the city’s “Breathe Now” program and helped launch a public awareness campaign that reached over 56 million impressions across social media platforms.
According to Robert Luckritz, Chief of Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, the grant has had a transformative effect.
“We now carry naloxone on every ambulance, fire truck, and police vehicle in Austin and Travis County. When someone’s life is hanging by a thread, that immediate access makes all the difference.”
Overdose Deaths See Dramatic Decline
Travis County Judge Andy Brown reported that opioid-related fatalities dropped by 22% — from 486 in 2023 to 380 in 2024. Even more notably, deaths involving FYL, one of the most lethal synthetic opioids, fell 36%, dropping from 279 to 179 during the same period.
“This decline is encouraging, but it’s only the beginning,” said Brown. “We’re laying the groundwork for long-term solutions, built on compassion, data-driven action, and equity in access to care.”
Statewide Momentum
These local gains are part of a broader statewide push to combat the opioid crisis. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission leads multiple efforts, including the “One Pill Kills” campaign to raise awareness about counterfeit pills laced with FYL, and the Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) initiative, which supports prevention, treatment, and access to naloxone statewide.
“This kind of coordinated response — from city to county to state — shows what’s possible when we work together,” said Luckritz.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Progress
Dr. Desmar Walkes, Medical Director for Austin Public Health, underscored the city’s ongoing commitment.
“Our strategy doesn’t end with this funding. We’re investing in harm reduction, peer support programs, training for healthcare providers, and communication campaigns to keep naloxone in the hands of those who need it most.”
Future efforts include the launch of an opioid resource dashboard, expanded naloxone distribution using opioid abatement funds, and continued public health collaborations to prevent overdose deaths — particularly from synthetic opioids like FYL and contaminants like XYL, which are increasingly found in the unregulated drug supply.
“Our goal is clear,” Walkes concluded. “We will continue advancing a community-driven, multi-sector approach until we put an end to preventable overdose deaths in Austin.”
Source: The Daily Texan