TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — Following a deadly overdose outbreak in Austin earlier this month, a new report details how significant drug overdoses were in Travis County last year.
The yearly report from the medical examiner shows overdose deaths continue to be the No. 1 cause of accidental death in Travis County.
In 2023, Travis County saw a nearly 17% increase in overall accidental overdoses, with more than half of them being fentanyl-related. However, despite the increase in fentanyl-related overdoses, officials say it's the first time in four years that they're seeing it slow down.
Drug overdoses accounted for 57% of Travis County's accidental deaths in 2023, with more than half coming from fentanyl. Only 5% of deaths involved fentanyl alone, while 56% of fentanyl deaths had methamphetamine.
Travis County Judge Andy Brown said county leaders are trying to tackle the issue.
"Education, getting Narcan out and training people on it," Brown said. "I think longer term, it's a little more complex. I think peer recovery services are vital. Investing in methadone and ways of getting people off of opioids is another. I think the medical health diversion center we are all working on together is a huge part of it because there is a huge, unmet need."
Other fatalities
Travis County saw 198 people die in motor-vehicle-related incidents in 2023, with alcohol involved in 27% of those incidents. The numbers were a sharp drop from 2022 when alcohol was involved in 38% of motor-vehicle-related fatalities.
Homicides also trended downward in 2023, according to the report. Travis County saw 87 homicides last year, compared to 93 in 2022. However, firearms were still involved in 82% of homicides in the last two years.
The report also revealed people between the ages of 21 to 30 represented 26% of Travis County's homicides.