The San Antonio Community Health Committee meeting on May 19, 2025, highlighted significant efforts to combat addiction stigma and improve public health responses to substance use. A key focus of the discussion was a public health campaign aimed at reducing self-stigma associated with addiction, emphasizing that addiction is a disease influenced by various factors, including trauma and circumstances. The campaign seeks to normalize conversations around addiction and guide individuals toward available support services.

Committee members noted a positive trend in decreasing fatal overdoses, attributing this decline largely to the increased availability of Narcan, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. The introduction of Narcan vending machines, such as the one at RISE Recovery, is part of a broader strategy to make this critical resource accessible to those in need. Each Narcan dose dispensed includes a QR code encouraging users to report their experiences, which helps track the effectiveness of these interventions.

The meeting also addressed the challenges of tracking non-fatal overdoses and the overall landscape of substance use in the community. While there are systems in place to monitor repeat clients and syringe returns, the committee acknowledged that prevention measures are harder to quantify. Future efforts will focus on gathering feedback from outreach workers and the community to assess the impact of prevention programs.

Additionally, the committee discussed the financial aspects of funding for addiction recovery initiatives, noting that a $6.1 million payout from drug companies involved in lawsuits is structured over 18 years to ensure manageable payments.

As San Antonio continues to tackle the complex issues surrounding substance use, the committee's discussions reflect a commitment to fostering a supportive environment for individuals seeking help and reducing the stigma that often accompanies addiction. The next steps will involve refining prevention strategies and enhancing data collection to better understand and address the community's needs.