Harris County Updates Opioid Prevention Services with Santa Maria Hostel

This policy amendment updates Harris County's partnership with Santa Maria Hostel Inc. to improve opioid prevention services and education. The change adjusts how federal Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant money is used to fight the opioid crisis in our communities. Santa Maria Hostel provides housing and support services, making them a key partner in reaching people who need help with substance use disorders. The Overdose Data to Action program uses real data about overdoses to guide prevention efforts. This amendment allows the county to shift grant funds to where they're most needed right now. Harris County Commissioners Court passed this update on May 14, 2026, after introducing it on April 30. This matters because the opioid crisis affects families across Harris County, from downtown Houston to suburban neighborhoods. When we improve prevention services, we save lives and help people recover. The partnership with Santa Maria Hostel means outreach can happen where vulnerable people already receive services. This creates better connections between housing support and addiction treatment. Residents can learn more about these services through Harris County Public Health. Contact Cindy Paz at Cindy.Paz@harriscountytx.gov for information about how these programs work or how to access services.

This helps save lives in our community by improving programs that prevent drug overdoses and help people with addiction get treatment and housing support.