Have you witnessed a drug poisoning or used naloxone? 

Please use this Community-based Reporting for Overdose tool to report suspected drug poisonings in your community. Reporting helps to identify key strategies for fighting drug poisoning deaths in Texas. 

Texas is experiencing a drug poisoning epidemic. The state’s drug poisoning deaths increased by 68% from 2019 to 2024. In 2023, drug poisoning was the leading cause of injury related death for Texans aged 24-69. Males have drug poisoning death rates over twice as high as females. Non-Hispanic whites have the highest counts of fatal and non-fatal drug poisonings, with non-Hispanic Blacks having the highest rate of fatal and non-fatal drug poisonings among Texas residents.  Texas continues to see increases in stimulant use too. See Texas opioid-related data on EMS-Reported Non-Fatal Drug Poisonings and Drug-Related Deaths dashboards.

In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas Overdose Data to Action (TODA) focuses on the changing nature of the drug poisoning epidemic in Texas and the need to use data to drive prevention efforts. TODA highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to the epidemic so that Texas can continue reducing drug poisonings, deaths, and related harms.

TODA Approach:

TODA utilizes the GAIN approach to reducing drug poisonings.

• Gather – Gather Texas drug poisoning data through state-level morbidity and mortality surveillance. TODA data is available upon request.
• Analyze – Analyze data collected from surveillance systems, drug poisoning prevention programs, and federal sources to understand risk factors for people who use drugs, and populations most at risk.
• Inform – Share essential information about drug trends and prevention strategies with federal, state, and local authorities and organizations to inform prevention and treatment activities.
• Network – Build stronger networks across Texas to prevent and reduce drug poisonings.

Learn more about TODA's mission and the cost of drug poisoning to Texans in the TODA Overview Document (PDF in English). 

TODA Strategies:

• Mortality Surveillance
  • Collecting data from hospitals, emergency departments, EMS Trauma Registry, and free-standing clinics to understand the scope of non-fatal drug poisonings in Texas.
• Morbidity Surveillance
  • Collecting data from autopsies, toxicology, and death investigative reports to further identify circumstantial variables related to fatal drug poisoning.
  • Supporting Texas counties with toxicology testing through State Toxicology Expansion Program (STEP). STEP provides free toxicology testing to participating counties in Texas.
  • MDI Log coming soon.
• Health System Engagements and Enhancements
• Public Safety Partnerships
  • Partnerships with public safety, emergency response, hospitals and emergency departments, and harm reduction groups.
• Fatality Prevention
  • Naloxone resources for Texas communities, including:
    • Naloxone Locator Map to find free and reduced-cost naloxone in your community.
    • Naloxone Distribution Checklist for communities to assess naloxone distribution readiness and learn TODA-recommended best practices. 
    • Naloxone Distribution Container Application to help expand naloxone access in Texas communities.
• Community-based Linkage to Care

This federal/state partnership expands and strengthens overdose tracking and prevention efforts. It will reduce fatal and non-fatal drug poisoning involving opioids, stimulants, and multiple substance use.

Where to Report a Drug Poisoning in Texas:

The TODA Reporting Drug Poisoning Events in Texas informational document (PDF in English) identifies Texas drug poisoning reporting systems and how to report an event. Each listed system varies by reporter and can be used to report Texas drug poisoning data.

The Texas Department of State Health Services does not endorse external links to other websites or documents created by other agencies. These links and documents are informational and may not be accessible to persons with disabilities.