Overdose Awareness in San Antonio: Local Events, Resources, and Ways to Make a Difference

Overdose Awareness Day takes place each year on August 31 to bring attention to the growing number of lives lost to drug overdose. It’s a time to recognize the reality of the crisis, push for better education and resources, support the individuals and families still facing risk, and honor those we’ve lost.

In San Antonio, where overdose continues to affect people across neighborhoods and age groups, awareness leads to action. Whether it’s learning how to respond in a crisis, connecting someone to treatment, or showing up for a local event, there are practical ways for everyone to help.

This guide outlines what’s happening in the area and how to be part of the response.

Why Overdose Awareness Matters – Especially in San Antonio

Bexar County has seen a 33% decline in opioid-related overdose deaths since 2022, a sign that awareness, education, and access to resources are making an impact.

Still, the work is far from over. Nearly 5,000 Texans lost their lives to overdose last year, and the national toll exceeded 80,000. While the downward trend is encouraging, it falls short of the goal: zero lives lost to overdose.

Local education and awareness make change possible. When people recognize the risk factors for addiction and understand the signs of an overdose, they can take action that saves lives. When communities arm themselves with tools like naloxone, a medication that reverses an overdose, they can respond in emergencies and contact the right people for help.

Stigma has also been a prevalent issue in San Antonio and the greater Texas area, and it often prevents individuals from seeking help. Education efforts reduce stigma countywide, making it easier for people to get involved and get treatment.

What's Working: Education, Prevention, and Policy in San Antonio

San Antonio has taken steps in recent years to address the overdose crisis through a combination of education, prevention strategies, and policy changes:

• Efforts like naloxone distribution programs and overdose response training have equipped more residents to help when they see an overdose happening.
• Local health departments and nonprofits have also increased their focus on public education, especially around fentanyl, which has contributed to a significant drop in opioid-related deaths across Bexar County.
• The city and county have declared drug overdoses a public health crisis, helping direct more attention and funding toward prevention and recovery efforts.
• The Bexar Area Harm Reduction Coalition (BAHRC) offers voluntary health interventions to support people managing addiction or addiction-related illness. They provide interventions to reduce HIV and Hepatitis and alleviate the strain on local health facilities and services.

Harm Reduction Efforts in San Antonio

Harm reduction methods include needle exchange programs (to prevent HIV and other blood-borne illnesses) and naloxone distribution programs (a medication used to reverse overdose). 

These programs play an important role in San Antonio’s awareness and education efforts, which is why we spotlight them on Overdose Awareness Day.

Naloxone/Narcan Distribution in San Antonio, Texas

Those who are either in active opioid addiction or who have loved ones in active opioid addiction should always carry naloxone. Here are some of the places to find it in San Antonio and nearby Texas counties:

Learning how to use Naloxone/Narcan in Bexar County is just as important as obtaining the medication. Local, upcoming Narcan workshops are available on Bexar County’s calendar. There are also upcoming online opportunities for Narcan administration training.

Needle Exchange Programs in Bexar County

For those living with heroin, cocaine, morphine, or meth addiction, needle exchange programs are a must. Used and shared needles are common and can, unfortunately, lead to infections and illnesses like HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and tetanus.

If someone isn’t ready for treatment, a needle exchange program offers a place to drop off dirty needles and receive clean ones, free of charge.

San Antonio’s needle exchange is offered by the Bexar Area Harm Reduction Coalition. They can be found at 1523 N Zarzamora St, San Antonio, TX, 78207. Their website lists more of their harm reduction offerings.

6 Things Locals Can Do to Get Involved in Overdose Awareness Day

Overdose Awareness Day is only effective with community involvement and support. Individuals looking to get help can start with these 6 things:

1. Discuss the realities of opioid, stimulant, and alcohol overdose on social media and with friends/family. Even if the reach feels small, it’s significant because it means potential lives saved. Open, honest discussions reduce stigma. For those who would like to share reading material, blogs like these can help:
   • Fentanyl Overdose
   • Cocaine Overdose
2. Know where to access naloxone, and carry it when appropriate. Naloxone is a life-saving medication with a well-documented track record of reversing opioid overdoses. Individuals who are at risk of overdose, or who have loved ones at risk, are encouraged to keep naloxone readily available in case of emergency.
3. Consider donating to local treatment centers to help individuals with limited financial resources access the care they need.
   
4. Participate in an Overdose Awareness Day event. San Antonio and neighboring communities often host candlelight vigils, remembrance walks, and educational gatherings on August 31 to honor those lost to overdose. For example, the Montgomery County Overdose Prevention Endeavor (MCOPE) is hosting an Overdose Awareness Day event where individuals can learn how to use Narcan, hear from inspiring speakers, and explore over 50 resource tables.
5. Volunteer time. Many local organizations need volunteers for Overdose Awareness Day events and year-round services. Tasks might include handing out naloxone kits, setting up memorials, providing admin support, or helping with event logistics.
6. Encourage someone to attend treatment, and share resources. It can be a challenge to encourage someone to go to treatment, but it can also save their life. Recommend reputable treatment centers and offer to take them to treatment or meetings

Every action, no matter how small, can make a difference in preventing overdose and supporting those at risk.

Overdoses Are Preventable: Treatment for Substance Use at San Antonio Recovery Center in Texas

In San Antonio, community connection and cultural representation go hand-in-hand with effective prevention. Acknowledging the impact of overdose and supporting the education that surrounds it strengthens recovery efforts throughout Bexar County.

San Antonio Recovery Center offers addiction treatment rooted in the 12 Steps in Bexar County. With the largest alum network in the city, a culturally diverse team that reflects the local community, and expertise in complex dual diagnosis treatment, it is a place where people find safety and healing. To get started, call 866-957-7885 today.