HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas — A drug crisis plagues our region.
“In East Texas, there are two prescriptions for every single human being," said Mindy Robertson with the East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ETCADA).
Opioid dependence, in particular, has a hold on Henderson County. She says this is due to the rising high school drop out rate, teen birth rate, limited health care providers and the stigma surrounding drug dependence.
Dr. Harrison Ndetan with UT Health Science Center helped to facilitate the grant. He said the stigma is "a fundamental barrier between those who have the problem and getting the help they need.”
He hopes these funds will achieve sustainable ways to end the crisis. The Texas Poison Center Network’s latest data for years 2015-2019 shows Texas as whole saw 14.5 deaths related to opioid exposure. Henderson County has had 26.9 deaths per 100,000 people -- almost double.
Advocates stress that opioid and drug dependency can happen much easier than you might think. Someone could have an intense surgery and be prescribed a medication that their bodies grow a tolerance for.
“Before they know it, they're losing everything, they're on heroin, and they're in the streets,” said Brett Foster, recovery manager for ETCADA.
He understands because he’s been there.
“My name is Brett Foster, and I'm a person in long term recovery," he said.
He's been in recovery for 12 years. The million dollar grant will help support the already free recovery services that are offered and ensure that others can start a substance free path of their own.