Item 3 - Draft Recommendation on Fentanyl Testing Strips and Harm Reduction — original pdf

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COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommenda2on Number: (20240624): Resolu2on on Addressing the Rise in Drug Overdoses in the City of Aus2n and Promo2ng the Legaliza2on of Fentanyl Tes2ng Strips and Harm Reduc2on Efforts WHEREAS the War on Drugs describes the con<nued prohibi<on and criminaliza<on of a broad set of substances under the Controlled Substances Act; and WHEREAS harm reduc<on, in the context of substance use, is a community-oriented public health and safety approach aimed at reducing the nega<ve consequences associated with the use of substances; and WHEREAS harm reduc<on is one of the four core strategies being implemented by the Department of Health and Human Services to address the ongoing opioid crisis; and WHEREAS Travis County has experienced a significant increase in drug overdoses, exacerbated by the prevalence of fentanyl and other synthe<c opioids; and WHEREAS the opioid crisis con<nues to devastate families and communi<es, with fentanyl being a leading cause of overdose deaths, killing five Texans daily in the previous year; and WHEREAS the Texas Legislature passed several bills into law in 2023 to combat the fentanyl crisis, including measures to distribute naloxone on college campuses and to increase public awareness of the dangers of fentanyl; and WHEREAS fentanyl test strips, proven to be highly effec<ve in detec<ng the presence of fentanyl in drugs, are a cri<cal harm reduc<on tool that can save lives by allowing individuals to test substances before use; and WHEREAS research shows that fentanyl test strips are between 96 percent and 100 percent accurate, providing a cost-efficient method to prevent overdoses; and WHEREAS despite bipar<san support in the Texas House of Representa<ves, the bill to decriminalize fentanyl test strips did not pass in the Senate, leaving Texas as one of the few states where these lifesaving tools remain illegal; and WHEREAS public health experts, families affected by fentanyl-related tragedies, and medical professionals advocate for the decriminaliza<on and widespread availability of fentanyl test strips to reduce overdose deaths; and WHEREAS other states have successfully implemented the distribu<on of test strips through community health centers, convenience stores, and vending machines, some<mes for free, demonstra<ng their feasibility and efficacy in harm reduc<on efforts; and WHEREAS legal barriers to accessing fentanyl test strips hinder harm reduc<on organiza<ons from receiving funding and distribu<ng these essen<al tools to those in need; and WHEREAS the availability of fentanyl test strips allows individuals to make more informed decisions, poten<ally preven<ng drug use or modifying usage behaviors to reduce the risk of overdose; and WHEREAS bipar<san efforts at the federal level, including proposed legisla<on by Texas Senator John Cornyn and others, aim to remove test strips from the federal drug paraphernalia statute, which would eliminate the need for separate state-level legisla<on; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Aus<n's Human Rights Commission recommends that the City of Aus<n: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Supports the Decriminaliza2on of Tes2ng Strips: We recommend that the City of Aus<n call upon the Texas Legislature to priori<ze the decriminaliza<on of fentanyl test strips in the next legisla<ve session, recognizing their cri<cal role in reducing overdose deaths and saving lives. Lobbying Efforts: The City of Aus<n's lobbying arm is recommended to advocate for and upliZ bipar<san efforts to decriminalize fentanyl test strips at both the state and federal levels. This includes suppor<ng legisla<on that aims to remove fentanyl test strips from the federal drug paraphernalia statute and any state-level bills that facilitate their legal distribu<on and use. Public Health Ini2a2ve: The City of Aus<n is recommended to work with local health organiza<ons, community centers, and other stakeholders to educate the public about the importance and use of fentanyl test strips and other harm reduc<on tools. Support for Harm Reduc2on Programs: The City of Aus<n is recommended to reaffirm its commitment to suppor<ng harm reduc<on programs that provide resources and educa<on to individuals at risk of drug overdose, including the distribu<on of fentanyl test strips, naloxone, and other lifesaving tools. Educa2on: The City of Aus<n may join partnership with the Aus<n Independent School District’s Board of Trustees to develop a cohesive educa<onal strategy. This effort will equip school counselors, nurses, administrators, and parent support specialists with literature and resources to aid teens in naviga<ng the opioid crisis within our community. Collabora2on with State and Federal En22es: The City of Aus<n is recommended to collaborate with state and federal en<<es to ensure a coordinated response to the opioid crisis, advoca<ng for comprehensive strategies that address preven<on, treatment, and harm reduc<on. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Aus<n’s Human Rights Commission urges immediate ac<on to prevent further loss of life and to provide individuals with the tools they need to make informed decisions and stay safe. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: A_est: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)