[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6396836,"mediaKeyId","2095607-f392576fe1d9b134d3bf900d24736090","parentId",2095607,"title","Committee adopts new Laredo Public Health logo, approves minutes and reviews attendance rules","audioSeconds",421,"startMs",1115000,"endMs",1536000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2095607-f392576fe1d9b134d3bf900d24736090&start=1115&end=1536","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2095607-f392576fe1d9b134d3bf900d24736090/thumbnail_1115000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6396836/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Committee-adopts-new-Laredo-Public-Health-logo-approves-minutes-and-reviews-attendance-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396836-2268d192b806815ad8f1a85653fb9026/orig.mp4?Expires=1775206117&Signature=j1VbYXrtoxorXdvXOkTs51Vz-iUCYGy0STA0Ycg4UYKbI4a5jje~8J~UporuMt7bzjnaDBrRYwbfoRbLXqiqjilMi-TMii7l7FxoeSIeDrj3CfFm8urudVSEaNQhBkuTeDSTShdXIVcf5f2oht~V9ff4zu8CPWOSnyGtAlRx~YJXMMhx4ZeRBfVQWH4gMTso5wZnkuTO9Gsg8WmfD3zXglx3E1gMNaCpv~x-axHNurZ9sf2XSe~REblpnqYOBuzzDF8FafrxTSXSBJgpo~DtX7s3bnMh2dxUG~lMDpXx5u0rg5F41F36bSlGxWFWhdde5gzheqcEB8VOLYqUhfm3Dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Laredo, Texas","date","2025-01-08T22:22:28Z","article","LAREDO — The Drug and Alcohol Committee voted to approve minutes, adopt a rebranded Laredo Public Health logo and review member attendance rules at the meeting.

The committee approved the Nov. 13, 2024 minutes by motion and second. Members then reviewed several logo designs; the committee chose the top vote option and directed staff to change the blue color to red in the approved artwork. A voice vote was held and the chair declared the motion passed.

The committee also reviewed member attendance rules under its bylaws. Staff reminded members that the committee’s bylaw limit for absences is four meetings per year and that an upcoming training session will take place on Jan. 27. Members discussed vacant appointments for council seats representing District 4 and District 6 and agreed to follow up with city council offices about potential appointees.

A motion to adjourn was made and seconded; the chair closed the meeting and announced the next meeting date as Feb. 12.

Votes at a glance:
- Approve minutes for Nov. 13, 2024 — outcome: approved (mover: Freddie; second: Sabrina; voice vote).
- Adopt rebranded Laredo Public Health logo (with requested color change) — outcome: approved (motion and second; voice vote).
- Review attendance/bylaw requirements and upcoming training (informational; no formal action required beyond discussion).

Why it matters: Administrative approvals keep the committee’s record current and ensure branding and membership processes move forward. Members asked staff to circulate the approved logo files and the attendance/training notices so that appointees and alternates can be identified.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Drug and Alcohol Commission 010825","oneSentenceSummary","The Drug and Alcohol Committee approved minutes from Nov. 13, 2024, adopted a rebranded logo for Laredo Public Health and approved sending a letter of support for legislative initiatives; the commission also reviewed attendance limits and upcoming training.","taxTitle","Laredo, Webb County, Texas","taxId",2820,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6396841,"Detox center reports low post-holiday census; Tompkins methadone clinic says it serves 226 clients and has seven openings",1125,805000,1930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2095607-f392576fe1d9b134d3bf900d24736090&start=805&end=1930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2095607-f392576fe1d9b134d3bf900d24736090/thumbnail_805000.jpg","/articles/6396841/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Detox-center-reports-low-post-holiday-census-Tompkins-methadone-clinic-says-it-serves-226-clients-and-has-seven-openings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396841-a51c18af050ab5d62baec77b093c3ea2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775206117&Signature=aidwVDzqDD4iszgNuSoGnXH5zYkaxS8D5T2TWzBcNDpzVcj41Gw9q5k72qBwhjp-l6ZmBgU2lINU-AvvUJ-ktNli8GFVHX~cZPqJTirL4O~~ooCzOfvA5rHjd3PsUmvklyQIYsAI5F4fVK07rPKPjcH937BhYxSoHagQ6wbb24SrR2BSTcwJR8-qPngz2V9vCmSWTU3xESAm6svUpABuL9WJ0Cyrbci6nB3O-oSrXqBp0JKAHHJMh2aHB1iKYI1kMABZUd6ObC8sOfEw~D9PfFneMLYaEnWhE78twG4cKR6p~Mu-rBI6wByYnX-1AOohlKE9Vg9jkg39fxDbsEmqig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LAREDO — Committee members heard reports on detox and medication-assisted-treatment services in Laredo, including a post-holiday dip in detox census and operational details from the Tompkins Center methadone clinic.

A representative of the city detox center said census fell over the holidays but had begun to pick up; the center reported it had 10 patients at the time of the meeting. Staff described new daily-routine coaching for clients (making beds, personal responsibility) and said harm-reduction presentations had been added to the schedule.

“Miss Adriana has been very crucial to our programming and our schedule for our patients because she has also started, giving harm reduction presentation to our patients,” the detox presenter said, describing outreach on Narcan access and community links for people in active use.

Roberto Garza, a counselor at the Tompkins Center, provided details about that clinic’s medication-assisted-treatment program. “We currently serve, 226, clients and we do have openings up to 7 slots right now,” Garza said. He described a two-part program: medication (methadone) and counseling, with orientation, assessment, treatment planning and progressive dosing until withdrawal symptoms are controlled. The clinic offers physicals, labs and EKGs on site and refers clients to other agencies for hepatitis C, HIV and other conditions.

Garza described clinic hours (Monday–Saturday with a midday closure) and the process to earn take-home doses: monthly urine tests and progressive stability-based allowances. The clinic provides bus tickets (five per month) and helps clients secure low-fare cards when needed.

Partner agencies discussed outreach ideas, including distributing information at food-bank lines and aligning with existing police and service outreach events to reach people waiting in line. SCAN staff said they are accepting referrals to mental-health and homeless services and that a newly reopened grant for homelessness (LP) is available.

Why it matters: Detox and medication-assisted-treatment capacity and outreach practices affect how quickly people can receive services after an overdose or when they seek help. The Tompkins Center’s openings and the detox center’s outreach schedule are operational details that affect referrals from the committee and partner agencies.","The committee heard updates from the detox facility and partner agencies. The detox center said its census was low after the holidays and has started additional programming; Tompkins Center described medication-assisted treatment capacity and intake steps.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6396846,"Laredo committee credits community effort for 52% drop in drug-related deaths, backs bills to legalize test strips",400,183000,583000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2095607-f392576fe1d9b134d3bf900d24736090&start=183&end=583","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2095607-f392576fe1d9b134d3bf900d24736090/thumbnail_183000.jpg","/articles/6396846/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Laredo-committee-credits-community-effort-for-52-drop-in-drug-related-deaths-backs-bills-to-legalize-test-strips","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6396846-48fb2ae5b6df33627190eabfa346735f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775206117&Signature=EhSmC5Befhi8uZyIN4PC4DqU3WhoTvmvC2NzNpQv0Iz4AL-puw6HkT7Nq28F2LZ896R9N4T-7Pg~AzlHgPKA5wepQxlHUv0~dgWLopKLFUVTCyKWJj0Yq9NXtOSs8l0ppygmuEasY48-sDM6NmDB4aHnjDjPxpDtLRwuuyQwxrA5mjn3FiL5vBkUzY77SvYQk9NiROCGw9Qgava9a7Yj5QxN3m96gGF4TNxeC47nrhg6HqNviMqiRyiio5XRHlg2deGZAdHZxwoupSw~zb8UHslK1E2LY9Q8hD~spByIZGoXXYmgNtCv9kcOKMvrlQ3ZzZWN6oHaL~r-PrIXcstQOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LAREDO — Laredo Public Health officials told the Drug and Alcohol Committee that drug-related fatalities in the city fell by 52% between 2023 and 2024, and the committee voted to send a letter of support for legislative initiatives aimed at expanding harm-reduction tools such as fentanyl test strips.

Dr. Ricky Cubile, reporting to the committee, said the drop reflected a coordinated, multiagency effort. “We did push out a a news release regarding the drug related fatalities in Laredo by 52% between 2023 and 2024,” he said. Cubile credited expanded harm-reduction work and community partners for the change.

The committee’s action came after Cubile reviewed local and national attention to the city’s overdose-response work. He said Laredo submitted an abstract to the Overdose Response Strategy conference to share local strategies and noted coverage in the American Public Health Association’s The Nation’s Health. Cubile also flagged national debate on cannabis regulation and highlighted peer-reviewed research the department is tracking.

Committee members discussed pending Texas legislation to legalize drug test strips. Cubile said Representative Oliver Sutton’s House bill 362 was refiled this session and that a separate senate filing by Senator Cook Earhart would address fentanyl test strips. He described those measures as harm-reduction strategies intended to reduce fatal overdoses if enacted.

After discussion, the committee voted to approve and send a letter of support to state legislators for two items: expanded mental-health supports and legalization of fentanyl (and other) test strips. The committee agreed to circulate an editable draft, collect electronic signatures and transmit the letter by certified mail and email before the legislative session progressed.

The committee asked staff to circulate links to the abstracts and articles Cubile cited and to notify members when the letter is ready for signatures. No budgetary commitments or policy changes were enacted by the committee itself; the letter is a formal expression of support to lawmakers.

The committee’s next regular meeting was announced for Feb. 12; members said they would aim to send the letter earlier in the month.

Why it matters: Fentanyl test strips and similar tools are central to many local harm-reduction strategies because they can detect fentanyl contamination in other drugs. Legalizing distribution would change what community organizations and individuals can provide without legal risk, and the committee’s letter is intended to communicate local support to state lawmakers.","Laredo public health officials reported a 52% decline in drug-related fatalities between 2023 and 2024 and the committee approved a letter supporting legislative efforts to legalize fentanyl and other drug test strips in Texas.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee adopts new Laredo Public Health logo, approves minutes and reviews attendance rules

Detox center reports low post-holiday census; Tompkins methadone clinic says it serves 226 clients and has seven openings

Laredo committee credits community effort for 52% drop in drug-related deaths, backs bills to legalize test strips