drug overdose

The deaths represent a relatively small portion of people in Texas prisons. But Texas Department of Criminal Justice officials told state lawmakers Monday it's evidence of a statewide struggle to curb contraband in correctional facilities.

America's opioid epidemic has been a prolonged public health crisis, resulting in countless overdose deaths and billions in settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

Nearly $1 billion in legal settlements has flowed to Oklahoma, but questions remain about how funds are being spent to help those devastated by the opioid crisis.

The Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board is preparing to give out a new round of grants to statewide applicants. Soon, local governments will be able to take a bid at $29 million designated to address the opioid crisis.

The map allows Texans to type in an address or zip code to see where the over-the-counter drug Narcan can be purchased or obtained for free.

Vending machines once used by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health for naloxone and fentanyl test strips are up for sale.

Narcan, the liquid form of naloxone, is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids. In Oklahoma, it can be found across the state in vending machines.

The law will help protect people from criminal prosecution if they seek medical help for someone experiencing a drug overdose.

Vending machines have become one of the latest tools in the fight against the opioid crisis.

The dashboard tracks fatalities related to the powerful, synthetic opioid dating back to 2014 and compares those to overall drug deaths in Texas.