Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act - 2016

The CARA Act was the first piece of opioid-related legislation in 40 years. It authorized over $181 million per year in fighting the opioid epidemic. Main provisions include education, expanding access to naloxone, expanding resources to treat incarcerated individuals, expanding disposal sites, launching evidence-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, and strengthening prescription drug monitoring programs.

SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act - 2018

 This law aims to improve substance use disorders (SUDs) through several provisions, including those specifically aimed towards Medicaid/Medicare, FDA, and public health. It supported giving states funds to treat people with SUDs, giving benefits to pregnant women and children facing SUDs, improving access to MAT and telemedicine, exploring alternatives to opioids, improving prescription drug monitoring programs, and improving care coordination. 

21st Century Cures Act - 2016

This legislation established expedited product development programs for biologics and innovative medical devices. It also worked to incorporate patient perspectives into drug and device development. This bill specifically provided millions of dollars of funding for grants to states to address the opioid abuse crisis. 

Opioid Crisis Response Act - 2018

This law supported research into non-addictive pain therapies, first responder training, treatment and recovery centers, awareness campaigns, and regulation of controlled substances. 

Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit - 2017

This initiative aimed to investigate and prosecute healthcare providers who overprescribe opioids or engage in other corrupt and fraudulent activities related to opioid prescribing. 

Naloxone access

Texas has expanded access to naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. These laws allow pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription. Additionally, first responders and law enforcement officers are authorized to carry and administer naloxone.

MAT programs

Texas has expanded access to MAT for opioid addiction. The state has implemented policies to increase the number of MAT providers and to make treatment more affordable for patients. 

Prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP)

Texas has established a PDMP known as the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP), which allows healthcare providers to access previous prescription histories for controlled substances, including opioids, for a particular patient. This system helps to prevent overprescribing and identify patients who may be at risk for addiction. 

Limits on opioid prescribing

Texas has implemented guidelines for opioid prescribing that aim to reduce the risk of addiction. For example, the state recommends that healthcare providers prescribe the lowest effective dose of opioids for the shortest duration possible (10 days). In addition, there are medical limits as to what physicians can prescribe for conditions like chronic pain or if the patient is part of another treatment. 

Opioid disposal

Texas has implemented programs to encourage safe disposal of unused opioids, such as offering prescription drug disposal packets to various community organizations and schools. Some pharmacies also have drug take-back programs.