According to agenda documents, $147,884 of funds will support three Fort Bend County Health and Human Services initiatives over a two year period, including:
- Enhancing education and community engagement through community collaborations
- Supporting data collection and research in the county
- Developing a prevention framework to guide action and policy through prevention, treatment and harm reduction
Additionally, the
court system will utilize $191,252 to:
- Support drug testing and screening costs
- Hire a recovery coach to provide peer support
Meanwhile, the county
District Attorney’s office will hire a certified community supervision and corrections officer at a two year cost of $187,240. This person will specialize in assessments of clients involved in the justice system who are suffering from opioid addictions, according to agenda documents.
What they’re saying
“The opioid crisis is a new American war that is being waged by law enforcement, the judicial system, the medical industry, schools and, of course, families who have been impacted by the loss of loved ones or who are suffering watch their loved ones struggle with addiction,” Smith-Lawson said. “It is a matter of public safety, and it is a concern of this body as it impacts the wellbeing of Fort Bend County residents."
Looking ahead
