ATCEMS program aimed at combating opioid crisis reaches 500 people served

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin-Travis County EMS program that launched a little over three years ago and aims to combat the growing opioid crisis hit a milestone last week.

ATCEMS is celebrating after it reached its 500th patient enrolled in the program.

The Buprenorphine Bridge Program launched in November 2020 and has been working to provide critical support and care to people experiencing Opiate Use Disorder or OUD. The program, which is run by ATCEMS' Community Health Paramedic (CHP) Program, is a short-term “bridge” program that brings immediate relief to patients who are seeking treatment for their OUD.

Buprenorphine is a drug that can curb withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Travis County leaders have been working to combat opioid-related deaths in recent years as the number of those deaths has steadily increased.

Data released by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in its annual report shows in 2022, 417 Travis County residents died from drug-related overdoses, the leading cause of accidental death in the county, according to Garza’s office.  

That number was a 35% increase compared to 2021 and prompted county and city leaders to declare opioid overdoses to be an official public health crisis.