Drug overdose deaths are on the rise, according to the CDC.
Over 107,000 people died in 2021 and over 80,000 of those deaths were attributed to opioids.
This increase in drug use and overdoses is keeping local treatment facilities busy.
“We do a morning class and an evening class and my morning class is at that capacity,” David Junkin, clinical director for Alamo Center, said.
The Alamo Center has been around for three years now.
Junkin said they offer intensive outpatient treatment for people battling substance use disorder.
“It’s 80 hours minimum of treatment over a two month period, sometimes more besides the, the group sessions, we do individuals, minimum one hour a week,” he said.
The need they’re faced with has increased dramatically since they opened.
“Our personal caseload, our counselor caseload are getting high enough where we need to focus on we can’t spread itself too thin,” Junkin said.
They’re having to add more staff, a counselor, a case manager, and a recovery coach.
Meanwhile, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio was just awarded a $1.8 million grant for research into addiction recovery support services.
In a statement, Jennifer Sharpe Potter, VP for research and professor of psychiatry and behavioral science, said, “We believe all this will inform development and expansion of services and strengthen the system of care that those with opioid use disorder may use to initiate and maintain recovery...”
Junkin said it’s vital to have these resources in the community in order to save lives and help combat the ongoing drug crisis.
“Anytime you want to seek help, you can seek help,” Junkin said.
Alamo Center plans to open another location on the East Side to bring resources there.
UT Health San Antonio is offering a free Narcan delivery program.
Narcan is used to counter the effects of opioids.