SAN ANTONIO – One patient at a time.
That's how the South Texas Rural Health Services Inc. plans to tackle the opioid epidemic in previously underserved South Texas communities.
"It's going to give us an opportunity to attack the problem that we have," CEO Alfredo Zamora said.
Zamora's organization is the recipient of a $352,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. More than $94 million in Affordable Care Act funding went to 271 health centers in 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services in health centers, with a specific focus on treatment of opioid use disorders, according to an HHS news release.
The grant allows Zamora to hire four new medical professionals and provide further training to his existing staff through a partnership with UT Health Science Center.
The one-year grant looks to help 100 new patients addicted to pain pills or heroin through treatment, with about 60 of those undergoing medication-assisted treatment with the drug known as narcan or naloxone.
The clinic in Cotulla used to only serve mild to moderate opiate users. But soon, medical and behavioral health specialists will be able to treat patients of all levels of addiction at seven South Texas Wellness Centers across the region.
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La Salle County Sheriff Miguel Rodriguez told KSAT-12 in an emailed statement that his department has seen an average of two drug possession arrests each week in the last 100 days. The sheriff believes it's important to remain ahead of the curve in combating drug use and drug crime in La Salle County.
Those in South Texas needing information, help or treatment can call 800-788-6950 or click here. Information about the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can be found here.