HomepageHomepage Showcase

Actions

Nueces County Commissioners set to focus on battling opioid epidemic

Posted at 9:36 AM, Jan 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-21 11:00:17-05

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — In Wednesday's Commissioners Court meeting, County Commissioners will discuss a hot topic that has been an issue throughout the country.

According to Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales, the opioid crisis is at an all-time high in cities similar to Corpus Christi.

With Nueces County having it's own issues with opioids and mental health, county officials are hoping to change the problem.

The last item on the agenda for Wednesday will be discussing a possible task force for the opioid problem in the county.

Canales says the county will join forces with the Health Department and other experts in the community to create this group.

She that although grants have been awarded, the county would get all law enforcement and first responders access to NARCAN and CIT, Crisis Intervention Trained.

Her hopes go beyond equipment, she believes there needs to be a new behavioral health building along with a possible detox center and jail diversion center, in the future.

"We know that there is a absolute connection between the opioid epidemic and some of the challenges our veterans are facing," Canales said.

"Some of the challenges our homeless population are facing, and when we can put our forces together, you can really see effectual change."

There will also be a proposed motion to have a prevention and education program throughout CCISD for kindergarten through 12th graders.

Canales says she hopes to have a town hall meeting in the next couple months to get input from the public.