Ahead of the upcoming legislative session, which will begin in January, Texas politicians are altering their positions on how to address the state’s rising fentanyl issue.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott took the initiative earlier this month by supporting the legalization of fentanyl test strips, which enable consumers to determine whether the medications they want to take contain the fatal synthetic opioid. Prior to the rise in opioid overdose deaths, Abbott said he opposed such a policy, but now he has a “greater understanding” that the state needed to do more to combat the issue.
Bills
In the past, bills to legalize fentanyl test strips and other programs to lessen the harm caused by drug addiction, such as syringe exchange services, have been submitted; however, these bills were primarily written by Democrats and had little chance of passing in a Republican-controlled legislature. These laws have been challenged by many Republicans who are strong on crime because they believe they encourage drug usage.
The argument for the legalization of fentanyl test strips is currently being taken up by some of the most conservative figures in the Capitol, including state Sen. Bob Hall of Edgewood and Rep. Tom Oliverson of Cypress. Obtaining assistance from influential legislators is also a problem.
Additionally, Abbott stated that he intended to increase the accessibility of Narcan, commonly known as naloxone, a medication used to counteract opiate overdoses, throughout the state. The expense of Narcan, which runs around $125 for a kit with two doses, makes it difficult for first responders and harm-reduction organizations that assist drug users to obtain it.
Legislators from both the Republican and Democratic parties are collaborating to adopt harm-reduction laws. The state still has to take further action, according to drug policy experts who have been warning about the increase of fentanyl in the state for years.
Drug Overdoses
The suggested policy modifications come while the nation is still being battered by the opioid crisis. More than 107,000 individuals nationwide passed away from drug overdoses in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 71,000 of the fatalities were caused by synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl.
According to the CDC, more than 5,000 drug overdose deaths are expected in Texas between July 2021 and July 2022. Fentanyl overdose deaths in the state increased 399% from 333 in the fiscal year 2019 to 1,662 in the fiscal year 2021.
