Research Library

In the United States, drug overdose deaths are on the rise. In 2022, CDC researchers reported that 110,236 people died from an overdose in a single 12-month period, setting a new record. Synthetic opioid overdose deaths, primarily due to fentanyl, increased nearly 7.5-fold from 2015 to 2021. In Texas, the number of fentanyl-related deaths rose dramatically — from 883 deaths in 2020 to 1,672 deaths in 2021. While Republican lawmakers in Texas have previously opposed harm reduction policies, many have signaled a desire to take policy action to combat the crisis in the 2023 legislative session.

The first annual Firearm Injury Prevention and Safety Symposium, hosted by the Center for Health and Biosciences in June 2022, brought together researchers, policymakers and community partners committed to ending gun violence. This conference report summarizes the many presentations held at the event, as well as a concrete plan for local action to reduce firearm injury and death.

Houston and Harris County area law enforcement leaders weigh in on the need for drug policy reforms in the United States.

This blog post examines how Donald Trump's status as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee could impact Texas Republicans running for offices in the November general elections.