SAN ANTONIO — The City of San Antonio is declaring a public health crisis because of a rise in overdose-related deaths in the area. 

What You Need To Know

  • The San Antonio City Council voted to pass a resolution Thursday focused on “strengthening prevention and harm reduction programs designed to reduce the risk of both fatal and non-fatal overdoses"

  • Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that nine people in Bexar County died every week from drug overdoses

  • The CDC’s data also found that Bexar County had a higher mortality rate than the statewide average for drug-related overdose deaths

The San Antonio City Council voted to pass a resolution Thursday focused on “strengthening prevention and harm reduction programs designed to reduce the risk of both fatal and non-fatal overdoses,” according to a news release from the city. 

The resolution also called for expanding access to treatment and recovery services for people battling substance abuse issues by working with community groups, health care providers and Bexar County–where San Antonio is located. 

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that nine people in Bexar County died every week from drug overdoses. Approximately 2,000 people across the country died every week from overdoses. 

The CDC’s data also found that Bexar County had a higher mortality rate than the statewide average for drug-related overdose deaths. 

With the opioid settlement funds the City of San Antonio has received so far, $909,000 has been allocated to the Metropolitan Health District to support public health efforts in 2024 and 2025. 

“Today’s resolution marks a crucial step forward in our commitment to protecting the overall health of our community,” said Dr. Claude A. Jacob, Metro Health director. “The rising number of overdose-related deaths, both nationally and locally, demands urgent action and ongoing vigilance. Together, we are expanding our response to this crisis by ensuring that more individuals have access to the care and the services that they need to heal and thrive.”