Government
BY HALEY MCLEOD & BEN THOMPSON
Travis County sees rst opioid death decline in 3 years Travis County was awarded a $1.6 million federal grant to launch a jail-based substance use intake program as accidental opioid deaths declined for the rst time in over three years. The overview 318 Opioid deaths decrease
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Overdoses remain the leading cause of accidental deaths in Travis County, prompting commissioners to renew a 2022 public health crisis declaration in November. As part of this e ort, the county allocated $100,000 for naloxone—a medication used to treat opi- oid overdoses—and an additional $300,000 for future overdose prevention programs in the upcoming year. Commissioners also directed sta to prioritize investments in opioid abatement strategies, including expanded access to treatment, increased naloxone distribution, and enhanced peer recovery services. The latest federal funding will support medica- tion-assisted treatment, harm reduction approaches and peer recovery support within the Travis County jail system, and follow an individual as they re-enter the Austin names next parks and recreation director Jesús Aguirre will take the helm of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department in early 2025. The details Aguirre was chosen through a national search that started after the departure of former parks head Kimberly McNeeley in the spring. He was one of three nalists out of scores of applicants. Aguirre said he brings a passion for social justice and inclusivity, and that he’d work to build public trust. He previously led Washington, D.C. and Seattle’s parks departments and Waterloo Greenway in Austin.
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NOTE: DATA COLLECTED AND COMPARED FROM JANUARY TO JULY.
SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Mike Siegel wins Austin District 7 council runo Mike Siegel defeated Gary Bledsoe in Austin's City Council District 7 runo election Dec. 14. Siegel ended up 51.2% of nearly 8,600 runo votes, while Bledsoe nished 206 votes behind. On election night, Siegel credited his cam- paign's e orts in North Austin for pushing him to victory in a “very di cult” runo . Zooming in “It feels wonderful. It feels like a vindication of what this campaign has tried to do, which is bring together diverse constituencies to really build people power," Siegel said. Despite his loss, Bledsoe said the tight runo nish showed support for his approach in District 7. “It doesn’t feel good to lose, but I think that we clearly made a di erence and the results show that," he said. In addition to citywide priorities like housing a ordability, climate change and justice issues, Siegel said he now aims to focus on local disparities between northern and southern District 7. community. Overdose deaths are eight times more likely in the rst six months after a person leaves incarcera- tion, according to local authorities. While serving a sentence, a person’s tolerance to substances often decreases. Upon release, if they use the same amount as they did before incarceration, it can lead to an accidental overdose.
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Waived Initiation Fees
20% OFF ALL PIF memberships Dec 28th - Jan 10th
“Austin is at a pivotal moment of growth and change, and parks and recreation
are essential to ensuring our communities remain healthy, vibrant and inclusive.” JESÚS AGUIRRE, APPOINTED PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR
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