Texas officials are currently investigating a concerning surge of opioid overdoses in Austin. Over the course of just three days, from Monday to Wednesday, emergency personnel were called to numerous incidents, responding to dozens of cases. Tragically, nine deaths are suspected to be linked to these opioid overdoses.
Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services attended to a count of 75 overdose cases from Monday to Wednesday evening, as stated by EMS Division Chief Angela Carr during a news conference on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Travis County medical examiner’s office is currently looking into nine cases as potential overdose deaths, as confirmed by county spokesperson Hector Nieto.
According to Nieto, preliminary toxicology reports showed the presence of fentanyl in nine cases, cocaine in eight cases, and methamphetamine in three cases. Nieto shared this information with the American-Statesman, which is part of the USA TODAY Network. On Tuesday, city officials gathered to initially discuss the investigation into the suspected overdoses.
According to Assistant Chief Steve White of Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, the city is currently experiencing its most severe overdose outbreak in almost ten years. In just one day, emergency responders received over 50 calls related to overdoses, marking a staggering 1,000% increase in overdose emergency calls.
During a news conference on Tuesday, White stated that Austin had not witnessed such a surge in overdoses since 2015, when the city was hit by K2, a synthetic cannabinoid. According to White, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services usually receives one to two overdose calls per day.
In 2021, drug overdose claimed the lives of over 106,000 individuals in the United States, as reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Shockingly, there was a surge in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, excluding methadone, with a total of 70,601 fatalities.
According to the State Health Access Data Assistance Center, the United States has been grappling with a significant substance abuse and addiction crisis for the past twenty years. This crisis is exemplified by the alarming increase in drug overdose-related deaths. Since 2000, the number of annual overdose deaths from any type of drug has surged nearly six-fold, skyrocketing from 17,500 to over 106,000 people in 2021.
Fentanyl is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans. Is it possible that filling a void in U.S. intelligence could help prevent these tragic losses?
Overdose cases in Austin slowed down through the week
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The number of overdoses has decreased since the start of the week. During the press conference on Wednesday, Carr reported that emergency personnel had attended to seven overdoses that day. This is a significant drop compared to the 37 overdoses on Monday and 27 on Tuesday, indicating a gradual decline in overdose cases.
Before the recent surge in cases, EMS Capt. Christa Stedman noted that there had been a slight downward trend in overdose numbers. Stedman emphasized that opiate use disorder and overdoses do not discriminate, impacting individuals of all races, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Overdose emergency calls in downtown Austin started at 1 a.m. on Monday and continued until 4 a.m. on Tuesday, according to authorities. Austin Fire Chief Joel White mentioned that numerous patients were discovered in cardiac arrest during this period.
Patients of various ages and demographics sought help, with none being below the age of 18, as per Austin Police Assistant Chief Eric Fitzgerald. The majority of calls originated from downtown Austin, including businesses, residences, and public spaces.
According to White, patients were found in various situations. Some were homeless, while others had housing. There were also patients who were at their workplace or out in public spaces. The issue was not confined to a specific geographic location.
According to Nieto, the medical examiner discovered that an overdose which had happened at 9 p.m. on Sunday was initially overlooked and not included in the group of deaths until later.
Stedman revealed on Wednesday that a significant number of patients were not intentionally consuming opiates. Instead, they had been indulging in substances such as K2, crack cocaine, Xanax, and various other drugs.
Paramedics and community partners played a crucial role in saving numerous lives this week, according to Carr. She attributed their success to the strategic distribution of over 400 Narcan kits, an antidote for opioid overdoses, throughout the city.
According to Stedman, there have been instances where civilians have administered Narcan before emergency responders arrive. In these cases, the individuals have either regained consciousness and are in the process of recovering or have fully recovered and left the scene before help arrived.
Austin police identify 2 persons of interest
The Austin Police Department has chosen not to disclose any further updates regarding the investigation. They have emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the investigation. However, they have stated that they have identified two persons of interest.
On Tuesday, Lt. Patrick Eastlick of the Austin Police Department announced that two individuals had been apprehended in downtown Austin on Monday. One of them has been charged with a felony for possession of a firearm, while additional charges are expected. The investigation is being supported by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to Eastlick, individuals who are found to be involved in the distribution of fentanyl may be charged with murder or with the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance resulting in death or serious bodily harm.
A new law in Texas has been implemented to address the fentanyl crisis by introducing tiered felony charges for individuals involved in the production, delivery, or distribution of the drug. This law also allows for murder charges to be filed against those found guilty, and the maximum penalty for such charges is life imprisonment.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with Texas Against Fentanyl, has issued a joint statement urging residents to stay alert and informed about the potential hazards associated with fentanyl.
The authorities are urging residents to have open and honest conversations with their family members, especially teenagers, about the risks linked to fentanyl and other dangerous drugs. It is crucial to raise awareness and provide education to prevent further harm and loss of life.
U.S. opioid epidemic
According to a study conducted by RAND and published in February, over 40% of Americans have personal connections to someone who has lost their lives due to a drug overdose. The study further revealed that in 2022 alone, the number of drug overdose-related deaths in the United States exceeded 109,000, and since 2000, the total death toll has surpassed 1.1 million.
According to the State Health Access Data Assistance Center, opioids, including heroin and prescription painkillers, are responsible for the majority of drug overdose deaths. However, there has been a significant rise in the use of synthetic opioids like fentanyl in drug overdose cases in recent years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl is said to be up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Typically, recent cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illegally manufactured fentanyl.
According to the CDC, synthetic opioids like fentanyl are a significant cause of both fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States. They state that over 150 individuals lose their lives daily due to overdoses linked to these substances.