abuse with that kind of barrier in the way,” Welka said. “It’s one thing when they’re here in group and they can get the support and we can really see how they’re being affected. … You just don’t know how somebody is going to respond when they click off of Zoom and all of a sudden they’re at home alone.” Government solutions State and county entities are work- ing to address the opioid epidemic through local funding, law enforce- ment resources and increased educa- tion surrounding opioid misuse. Around 2018, Reed said a state ini- tiative put Narcan—a device that dis- penses naloxone overdose emergency treatment—on fire apparatus in addi- tion to EMS units. The Cy-Fair Fire Department has intervened in more than 700 opioid overdoses since the start of 2018—more than 435 of which have happened since March 2020. The department also works with Houston’s High Intensity Drug Traf- ficking Areas to help identify overdose hot spots and mitigate the problem. Similar efforts are ongoing at the county level. Brown saidHCPH’sOver- dose Data to Action program collects overdose data to inform local preven- tion and response efforts. HCPH also partners with the Harris County Sher- iff’s Office to identify areas of high risk and provide resources to mitigate crime and drug use in those areas in the Violence Prevention Program. Texas Attorney General Ken Pax- ton announced Feb. 16 the state had secured a $1.17 billion settlement with pharmaceutical companies Ameri- sourceBergen, McKesson and Cardi- nal. According to the Harris County Attorney’s Office, the county will receive $1.7 million annually over the next few years from this settlement. The county is expected to receive $3.9 million in May from a settlement with Johnson & Johnson, and another $785,000 is expected this year from a settlement with Endo. According to the attorney general, Texas has secured $1.89 billion to date from opioid settlements. These funds may be used for community drug disposal programs, training for first responders and youth-focused pro- grams that discourage misuse. Reed said he believes education can help prevent overdoses. Many people do not know, for instance, Narcan can be purchased at local pharmacies, and entities such as DanceSafe offer test strips online to ensure substances do not contain fentanyl.
THE CRISIS
The Bond & Brown Law Firm, PLLC Invites You To attend a Free Estate Planning Workshop on
Harris County Public Health’s Opioid Overdose Prevention Program analyzes overdose data, connects
Wills, Trusts, & Nursing Home Asset Protection Discover How to Protect Your Assets And Provide for Your Loved Ones At the workshop we will discuss several issues including: • The advantages and disadvantages of Wills and Living Trusts • Why putting property in children’s names may be a mistake • Protecting your children’s inheritance from their future ex-spouses, lawsuits, and other claims • Preserving your estate for your kids if your surviving spouse gets remarried • How you can qualify and use Medicaid to pay for nursing home expenses which are over $5,700 per month locally Attend a workshop and receive a FREE no obligation private consultation with Attorney Christopher Brown or Attorney Faith Parten to answer any questions about setting up your estate plan. Dates, Times, & Locations
patients to treatment and works to prevent opioid overdoses.
OVERDOSE DATA TOACTION
Funded by a CDC grant, this program supports HCPH in collecting overdose data to inform local prevention and response efforts. INTEGRATED FAMILY PLANNING OPIOID RESPONSE
Clinics in Humble and Pasadena provide medication-assisted
treatment and counseling to help patients with opioid use disorder.
VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM
ONLINE Wednesday, April 13th 1:00 pm ZOOM Call Marie in Our Office (281) 448-4100 to Receive Your ZOOM Invitation
Willowbrook/Champions Tuesday, April 12th
This county initiative works with local law enforcement agencies and other community partners to mitigate violence and its root causes—one of which is drug misuse.
at 10:00 am IN PERSON
The Bond & Brown Law Firm, PLLC 9720 Cypresswood Drive, Ste 241 Houston, Texas 77070 (Near 249, in the same parking lot as Perry’s Steakhouse)
FIND HELP Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 800-662-4357 or visit www.samhsa.gov for resources and treatment.
SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, HARRIS COUNTY INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Call (281) 448-4100 To Reserve Your Seats or Receive Your ZOOM Invitation Robert D. Bond, Faith Parten, Christopher Brown PROBATE - MEDICAID QUALIFICATION - TRUST ADMINISTRATION HAS A LOVED ONE PASSED AWAY? IS A FAMILY MEMBER FACING A LONG TERM STAY IN A NURSING HOME? Our experienced attorneys provide a full range of probate, elder law, and estate administration services. With our help, this time of transition can often be handled through flat fees making the process quicker and easier. To schedule your FREE Initial Consultation call (281) 448-4100 www.BondBrown.com
“Amajority of people have an addic- tion to something. They’re not any different,” Reed said. “They’re not a bad person. They just need to know that there’s people to come around them and lift them up and get them through this. And then for those that don’t even want to get clean at that moment in their life, there’s ways to be safe about your addiction.”
For more information, visit communityimpact.com.
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CY-FAIR EDITION • APRIL 2022
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