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Overdose Prevention Hotline: Dallas County teams up with North Texas Poison Center to offer life-saving overdose prevention services

Dallas, Texas – Dallas County is acting aggressively to slow the rise in overdose deaths by introducing a new tool meant to save lives as the opioid crisis continues to destroy communities in North Texas. Starting Monday, Dallas County residents will have access to a free, confidential Overdose Prevention Hotline, an essential tool meant to lower the risk of fatal overdoses via immediate, easily available support. The North Texas Poison Center and Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) have worked together to bring this important project to life.

Overdose Prevention Hotline is an essential tool meant to lower the risk of fatal overdoses via immediate support for Dallas County residents

Daily operations of the hotline, 214-590-4000, will run from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; it will be accessible not just to the general public but also to healthcare providers looking for direction on handling situations involving opioids. Although a lot of work has gone toward solving the opioid crisis in North Texas, this new hotline connects people to important resources and offers valuable information, therefore adding another level of support.

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The Director of DCHHS, Dr. Philip Huang, who talked with NBC DFW, said that this hotline is a direct response to the continuing fentanyl issue, which is the most often occurring and lethal opioid in the community. Not only fentanyl, though; officials are also witnessing overdoses from cocaine and stimulants, and once again, they are there to offer tools and direction to anyone who requires assistance.

Overdose Prevention Hotline is an essential tool meant to lower the risk of fatal overdoses via immediate support for Dallas County residents
North Texas Poison Center via X

A lifeline for overdose prevention

Unlike 911, the new overdose prevention hotline is not meant for anyone seeing or experiencing an active overdose. In fact, it is an essential resource for anyone looking for knowledge about opportunities for treatment and overdose prevention. Dr. Huang claims that the hotline can refer callers to overdose reversal drugs including Naloxone, a life-saving treatment meant to reverse opioid overdoses given in time. Even without health insurance, callers may also be linked with treatment clinics and other community resources.

“For the general public, it can provide information about resources, education, about opioids, like can find out where they get naloxone, where they can get treatment resources and other support,” said Dr. Huang. “For providers, it also helps them provide some consultation, maybe about when [it’s appropriate for] patients starting the medication-assisted treatment, or resources, again, connecting to resources.”

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The hotline offers guidance on buprenorphine treatment as well, which is a form of medication-assisted therapy proven to help manage opioid addiction.  For those fighting addiction, this kind of treatment—which lessens cravings and withdrawal symptoms—can be a lifeline.

Overdose Prevention Hotline is an essential tool meant to lower the risk of fatal overdoses via immediate support for Dallas County residents
Credit: Unsplash

The Overdose Prevention Hotline will provide comprehensive support for families and providers

The new hotline’s focus on helping people’s relatives and loved ones in addition to individuals battling addiction is among its most arresting features. The hotline can provide essential information about acquiring drugs that can stop a fatal overdose for those who know a friend or relative suffering with drug abuse. The helpline will also offer families navigating the often complicated labyrinth of available options referrals to addiction treatment centers.

Dr. Huang also pointed out the need of having such a tool at hand for medical professionals. It’s an opportunity for medical professionals to speak with experts regarding the best course of action for their patients. This hotline offers a much-needed link whether it comes to determining when to begin medication-assisted treatment or locating appropriate long-term care facilities.

“Our poison information specialists will be able to assist clinicians in starting medication treatment and assist patients in being referred to places where they will have the best opportunity for continued care,” said Anelle Menendez, MD, CSPI, a Poison Control Specialist and Clinical Educator with the North Texas Poison Center.

Overdose Prevention Hotline is an essential tool meant to lower the risk of fatal overdoses via immediate support for Dallas County residents
Parkland Health via Wikipedia

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The Overdose Prevention Hotline in Dallas County will be easily accessible with multilingual services

Considering Dallas County’s diverse population, the new hotline will offer services in Spanish and English. This guarantees that the program is as inclusive as it might be, thereby covering a wide spectrum of people who might be impacted by the opioid problem.

The hotline is an extension of the North Texas Poison Center, which operates out of Parkland Hospital. Dallas County wants to provide individuals in need quick, reliable information by using the knowledge of healthcare professionals already employed in this field.

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A community-focused effort to save lives

The opening of this hotline is part of a larger plan to locally handle the opioid issue as overdose deaths keep rising. Although the hotline by itself won’t be able to end the problem, Dr. Huang believes it is an indispensable weapon in the effort to save lives.

“It’s a tragic situation that we’re dealing with in our community, and we want to provide all the resources and assistance that we can to address this,” added Dr. Huang.

Efforts like the Dallas County Overdose Prevention Hotline could prove to be life-saving for many people as the fentanyl crisis shows no signs of slowing down. This innovative service is poised to significantly impact the ongoing fight against opioid addiction by providing simple access to overdose reversal drugs, rehab information, and family support.

Sarah Rodriguez

At Rockwall News, Sarah leads the news desk, overseeing every piece that is published. Leveraging her prior experience, she assists others in articulating their stories clearly.

Sarah Rodriguez
Sarah Rodriguezhttps://rockwall.news
At Rockwall News, Sarah leads the news desk, overseeing every piece that is published. Leveraging her prior experience, she assists others in articulating their stories clearly.
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