The Office of the Attorney General and the Texas Health and Human Services system have partnered to launch "Dose of Reality," a public awareness campaign aimed at preventing prescription opioid misuse in Texas. A website for the campaign features guidance and resources for individuals, health-care providers and businesses about managing pain properly, storing prescription painkillers safely, responding to an overdose and recognizing opioid misuse and use disorder. "Working together, Texas can channel its resources to more fully combat opioid misuse in our state," HHS Executive Commissioner Courtney N. Phillips said. "Our focus must be on education, prevention, intervention and treatment. We are actively expanding our efforts to help people who are affected by the consequences of opioid misuse. The Dose of Reality website is central to educating Texans about this issue."
The campaign continues the state's efforts to combat the opioid epidemic by expanding treatment and recovery services. In October 2018, HHSC received a $46.2 million federal grant — which is being used along with Texas Targeted Opioid Response funds that total $27.4 million annually — to support a comprehensive response to opioid misuse in Texas. The Texas Department of State Health Services contributed state data and statistics for the website, such as:
115 Americans die of opioid overdoses every day.
In 2016, there were 1,375 opioid-related deaths in Texas.
Texarkana, Amarillo, Odessa and Longview rank in the top 25 cities for opioid misuse in the United States.
An interactive map on the website shows where and how to get rid of unwanted prescription painkillers, and includes information about the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Drug Take Back Days. Texas collected 41.5 tons of prescription drugs in one Take Back Day in 2018. To learn more, visit the Dose of Reality website and Texas Targeted Opioid Response webpage.
