Texas Overdose Data to Action

Texas is experiencing a drug overdose epidemic. The state’s drug overdose deaths increased more than 75% in the past five years. In 2021, the drug overdose death rate was 15.8 deaths per 100,000 residents. This is almost double the 2017 rate of 9.4 deaths per 100,000 residents. Males have overdose death rates over twice as high as females. Non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Blacks have the highest rates of overdose deaths among residents. Texas continues to see increases in stimulant use too. See Texas opioid-related emergency department data here.

In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas Overdose Data to Action (TODA) focuses on the changing nature of the drug overdose epidemic in Texas. TODA highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to the epidemic. We want to reduce drug overdoses, deaths, and related harms.

Areas of focus:

• Surveillance: Enhance and expand nonfatal and fatal overdose data and identify drug threats.
• Evaluation: Identify what is effective and use data to improve prevention interventions.
• Prevention: Use evidence-based interventions aligned with shifts in the epidemic. These shifts include changes in the illicit drug supply and a rise in stimulant and multiple substance use. 
• Focus on Texans:
  • Most affected by overdose;
  • Underserved by substance use disorder treatments and harm reduction services;
  • With lived experience;
  • Experiencing incarceration or recent release from incarceration; and
  • Experiencing homelessness.

The program emphasizes data and evidence‐based interventions to drive prevention. This should have an immediate impact on reducing fatal and nonfatal overdoses. Activities will focus on opioids, stimulants, and multiple substance use. 

TODA supports:

• Partnerships with public safety, emergency response, and harm reduction groups;
• Practices that prioritize guidance by people with lived experience;
• Fatal and non-fatal overdose data collection;
• Referral networks for community-based care and treatment for those most affected by the overdose epidemic (partnership with HHSC);
• Justice of the Peace (JP) and Medical Examiner (ME) reimbursement for toxicology testing; and
• Clinician education and training on prescribing practices and pain management.

This federal/state partnership expands and strengthens overdose tracking and prevention efforts. It will reduce fatal and non-fatal overdoses involving opioids, stimulants, and multiple substance use.