News Summary
UT Health San Antonio has been awarded $256 million to enhance opioid treatment services across Texas through its Be Well Texas initiative. This program focuses on expanding access to medications like Naloxone and recovery support services for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder. The funding will strengthen efforts to combat the opioid crisis, while also introducing a new recovery facility in San Antonio to address the growing need for individualized care.
San Antonio, Texas — UT Health San Antonio has been awarded $256 million to enhance opioid treatment services across the state through its newly launched initiative, Be Well Texas. This initiative aims to support individuals struggling with opioid use disorder by expanding access to treatment and recovery services statewide.
The funding, allocated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, marks a significant step in Texas’s efforts to combat the opioid crisis. Be Well Texas is part of the Be Well Institute on Substance Use and Related Disorders at UT Health San Antonio and focuses on two primary components: providing medications such as Naloxone, which treats opioid overdose, and enhancing recovery support services.
Jennifer Sharpe Potter, the founding director of the Be Well Institute, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the initiative and acknowledged the role of state leadership in addressing substance use issues. Be Well Texas is designed to provide compassionate and evidence-based treatment for individuals facing substance abuse challenges.
This new initiative builds upon ongoing efforts to implement effective treatment models across Texas, ensuring that every resident has access to healthcare solutions tailored to their substance use needs. In conjunction with the launch of Be Well Texas, the Texas Department of State Health Services has unveiled an interactive online map to assist Texans in locating free and low-cost Naloxone (NARCAN) across the state. This map identifies locations such as community health clinics and recovery support services where individuals can access this life-saving medication, which is critical in preventing overdose deaths linked to fentanyl.
Among the organizations mentioned for their role in distributing NARCAN are Rise Recovery and Corazon Ministries, the only groups listed in Bexar County offering free NARCAN. Rise Recovery focuses on helping thousands each year, particularly youth and their families, navigatethe challenges of substance use. In a significant effort in 2024, they distributed 310 boxes of NARCAN and 180 units of the nasal spray within a three-month period and partnered with Conscience Conduit to install San Antonio’s first free NARCAN vending machine.
Corazon Ministries, another vital player in the opioid crisis response, has distributed over 21,000 units of NARCAN across 28 counties in 2024 and conducts training on how to administer the medication effectively. Leaders at Corazon emphasize the importance of pairing medication distribution with supportive services that foster connections to rehabilitative care and detox services.
As part of the broader strategy to curb substance use issues, a new 130-bed recovery facility is set to be constructed along Applewhite Road in San Antonio. This facility will complement the existing 240-bed Applewhite Recovery Center, and it aims to address the growing need for individualized care, particularly following recent incidents of inmate deaths in the Bexar County Jail linked to drug withdrawal symptoms. Local officials have noted the importance of expanding community services to support individuals, particularly those lacking health insurance or facing delays in coverage.
Bexar County Commissioner Rebecca Clay-Flores highlighted the critical role recovery centers play in meeting community needs for addiction support. The new facility is expected to alleviate overcrowding in the Bexar County Jail, providing a dedicated space for those seeking recovery and ensuring they receive individualized care and follow-up sessions.
The Be Well Texas initiative represents a comprehensive effort to provide more robust and accessible support for individuals facing opioid addiction in Texas. By incorporating medication access, recovery services, and expanding treatment facilities, this program seeks to enhance the wellbeing of Texas residents struggling with substance use disorders.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Spectrum Local News
- Wikipedia: Opioid Epidemic
- KENS5
- Google Search: Naloxone Distribution Texas
- Fox San Antonio
- Google Scholar: Recovery Centers Opioid Addiction
- Medical Xpress
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Opioid Treatment Strategies
- Express News
- Google News: Fentanyl Overdose Texas
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
