Travis County increases investment in harm reduction - Austin Monitor

"One of Travis County's most consistent investments over the last few years has been toward mitigating the opioid overdose crisis, partially funded by a national settlement with the drug companies that helped cause the crisis. In November of last year, the county invested $400,000 of those funds into harm reduction services, and on Tuesday, they upped that to $525,000, which will be split between three community partners: LifeWorks, Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, and Vivent Health."

"LifeWorks provides low barrier mental health services, recovery support, street outreach and harm reduction services tailored to transition-age youth (aged 16-21) at risk for developing substance use disorders. "How do we know what they need? They tell us. We survey them," explained LeShawn Arbuckle, who is the division director of mental health & well-being for LifeWorks. Since June, the organization has held 14 focus groups which have resulted in 22 unduplicated clients."

"The Harm Reduction Alliance (THRA) has been a vocal partner of the county's since they lobbied commissioners to declare an overdose crisis in 2022. They operate a drop-in center with resources and also offer navigation services that link people living on the street with basic services throughout the city. All of their staff have lived experience with substance use disorder."

Travis County increased harm reduction funding from $400,000 to $525,000, using settlement funds tied to national litigation against drug companies. Overdose deaths declined in 2024 for the first time since the county declared an overdose crisis in 2022. The county will allocate $175,000 each to LifeWorks, Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, and Vivent Health to fund complementary harm reduction strategies. LifeWorks offers low-barrier mental health services, recovery support, street outreach and youth-tailored harm reduction; 14 focus groups since June produced 22 unduplicated clients and coordination with the City’s Homeless Strategy Office for youth rapid rehousing. THRA operates a drop-in center and navigation services; all staff report lived experience with substance use disorder.

Read at Austin Monitor