Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has announced a new online interactive map launched by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) as part of the "One Pill Kills" campaign. This tool helps Texans locate free or purchasable Naloxone (NARCAN), aiming to prevent fentanyl poisonings.

Governor Abbott stated, "Texas’ statewide efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis have saved countless lives." He emphasized that Texas must continue its efforts until fentanyl is eradicated from communities. The interactive map allows users to find nearby NARCAN locations by entering an address or zip code. Governor Abbott expressed gratitude towards DSHS for creating this tool and said, "Working together, we will keep fighting back to save even more innocent lives from this deadly threat."

DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford added, "This NARCAN locator map is another tool in our fight against fentanyl-related poisonings that have affected Americans in such a devastating way." The map is maintained by DSHS's Texas Overdose Data to Action (TODA) program and includes various site details like type, hours, phone number, and website.

Naloxone works by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain during an overdose emergency. It can restore breathing and is safe if administered mistakenly when opioids are not involved.

The DSHS TODA collaborates with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to update NARCAN distribution locations on the map. Governor Abbott continues initiatives against the fentanyl crisis through campaigns, summits, distribution of Naloxone statewide, unveiling data dashboards, enhancing penalties for manufacturing and distributing fentanyl, designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, and signing laws reclassifying fentanyl deaths as poisonings.

###