A UTSA professor helps first responders train in the detection of prescription opioid overdoses

James Bray, professor and director of the psychology department of UTSA, is currently collaborating with Houston agencies on a research project aimed at training first responders in the detection of opioid overdoses on prescription and at the same time. providing local services to save lives.

Bray is working with the Houston Department of Health, the Houston Fire Department, the Houston Recovery Center, and the Baylor College of Medicine to teach first responders how to recognize overdoses and misuse. badgesics, heroin and fentanyl and how to administer them properly. naloxone, a drug designed to quickly reverse an overdose of opioids.

"This project allows us to leverage existing resources and expertise in Harris County and the City of Houston not only to train first responders in administering the appropriate medication to save lives, but also to providing badistance and treatment services to people who are overdosing opioids via Houston, Peer Recovery Services and Case Management Recovery Centers, "said Bray.

Bray explained that opioid addiction has repercussions for millions of US citizens and that this grant would provide victims of opioid overdose treated by HFD with treatment services such as medical treatments, behavioral and psychological treatments and a treatment of pain.

The project, Training First Responders in Naloxone Overdose Overdose (FRONTLINES), is supported by a $ 2 million grant from the Administration of Substance Abuse and Health Services. (SAMHSA) for four years.

According to the most recent data provided by the State Department of Texas Health Department, 239 deaths from poisoning were caused by opioids in Houston in 2015 and 1,174 in the state.