Health department and partners report zero recent overdose deaths; Roots detox reports screening and completion figures

Dr. Lisa reported to the Laredo Drug and Alcohol Commission that recent months show zero recorded overdose deaths and described ongoing harm‑reduction outreach and naloxone distribution across the city.

"I want to present the numbers of overdose deaths which is at zero," Dr. Lisa said, noting two recent months with no recorded overdose deaths and an expansion in distribution sites from 10 to 175 distributions at city and partner locations.

Dr. Lisa described Pathways to Care and a monthly last‑Friday outreach at Javis Plaza that provides testing (including HIV and hepatitis) and resource referrals; she encouraged agencies to register and to promote April’s alcohol‑awareness campaign and an upcoming PSA about naloxone distribution.

A presenter reporting Roots center statistics gave screening and detox figures: as of Sept. 1 Roots conducted 336 screenings, 229 admissions and 128 completed detoxification services; February contacts included 54 withdrawal encounters across substance types (45 males, 9 females) and a three‑month total (December–February) of 125 individuals.

Commission members discussed coordinating spring‑break messaging and youth‑led social‑media campaigns; WestCare and a newly formed youth advisory council were cited as producing material that partners can reshare. Members also noted a National RX Takeback event scheduled for April 25 and discussed joint PSAs.

The commission did not take formal action on the public‑health reports; members encouraged continued collaboration and outreach across agencies.