Rep. Doggett Delivers Nearly $1 Million to Combat Opioid Abuse in Central Texas

August 16, 2024

202-494-4620

Austin, TX—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) announced a $932,000 direct federal appropriation he secured to pilot two programs for recovery services to curb the ongoing opioid crisis with a targeted focus on higher recovery rates and reducing recidivism. Specifically, this funding will establish brand new peer support programs in the Emergency Department (ED) and Travis County Civil and Criminal Drug Courts.

“To address our community’s opioid crisis and ensure those struggling with addiction can be successful in completing preventative drug programs, we need an all-hands-on-deck approach from local, state and federal governments,” said Rep. Doggett. “These funds will pilot two brand new programs to help peer support specialists connect with people at the moment of crisis, in the hospital and at drug courts, initiating essential and immediate support for some of our most vulnerable neighbors on a path to recovery. I’m pleased to work alongside local leaders like Travis County Judge Andy Brown and other advocates instrumental in fighting for greater community engagement and fostering a safer, drug-free environment.”

“This vital funding will allow Travis County to introduce expanded peer support services that we've never been able to provide before,” said Travis County Judge Andy Brown. “By embracing innovative, evidence-based approaches that are making a difference across the country, we can significantly expand our reach and impact. This effort is a crucial step forward in addressing the opioid overdose epidemic right here in our community. I am deeply grateful to Congressman Doggett for his support and collaboration in making these groundbreaking programs a reality for Travis County.”

Travis County will use the funding over two years to achieve the following objectives:

Establishing an ED-based peer support program where core functions would be (1) integrating peers into the ED, (2) identifying and linking persons with opioid use disorder with peer recovery support at the time the person presents at the ED, (3) connecting the person to medication-assisted treatment and other recovery services, and (4) providing follow-up care and service navigation to the person in the community.

Adding peer support specialists to the existing Travis County Drug Courts to provide direct engagement and support to individuals enrolled in the drug court programs. One peer specialist would be assigned to the Parenting in Recovery/Family Drug Treatment Court, which is for families involved in the child welfare system due to substance abuse. Another peer specialist would be assigned to the criminal Drug Court for individuals whose criminal activity is directly related to their substance use disorder. The funding allocated for both positions would include salary, benefits, operating costs, and training and certification costs.

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