Williamson County sees 4 suspected fentanyl overdoses in one week, including one death

Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman

The Williamson County sheriff's office has handled four suspected fentanyl overdoses last week, an unusually high number, a sheriff's sergeant said.

The four overdoses included a woman in her 30's who died in the Brushy Creek area, Sgt. Heather Vargas said Monday. The other three overdoses, in which people survived, all involved people in their 20s, she said. One of the overdoses was in the Jarrell area, said Vargas. She said she did not know where the other two overdoses were.

She said the four suspected fentanyl overdoses were an abnormally high number for the sheriff's office to handle by itself. Cases usually are in bigger cities such as Cedar Park, she said. Those four overdoses the sheriff's office handled came from unincorporated areas of the county.

The Williamson County sheriff's office handled four suspected fentanyl-related overdoses last week.
The Williamson County sheriff's office handled four suspected fentanyl-related overdoses last week.

Sheriff's Cmdr. John Foster said the overdose fatality the county handled last week was a 35-year-old woman who died in the 1600 block of Malaga Hills Drive in the Brushy Creek area near Round Rock.

Authorities have received information that some of the four overdoses came from people taking pills, Vargas said.

More: Authorities in Williamson County handle five suspected fentanyl poisonings in last week

Thirty-five people in Williamson County, including in the cities, died last year from fentanyl overdoses out of a total number of about 57 suspected overdoses, Vargas said. The sheriff's office and Cedar Park police handled five suspected fentanyl poisonings cases, including two deaths during one week in December.

Officials are asking people to reach out to rehab centers for help for their drug addictions, Vargas said.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is sometimes prescribed legally for pain management but it can be fatal when used illegally because even small amounts can kill a person.

More: Leander student dies of suspected fentanyl poisoning, sheriff says

Counterfeit pills being sold with illegal fentanyl in them are a major problem in Central Texas, authorities have said.

There are no statistics available for the total number of suspected fentanyl overdoses in Williamson County in January, said Vargas. The Round Rock police are investigating a suspected fentanyl overdose death that happened on Jan. 9, said Melanie Forcier, a police spokeswoman.

At least six students in the Hays County school district have died from fentanyl-related overdoses at home since July 2022.

A Hays County man last week received a 60-year, fentanyl-related prison sentence, officials said. A jury found Tony Robert Barrera III, 44, guilty on Thursday of possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) with intent to deliver and also unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to county officials. Barrera also received a 50-year sentence for possession of a firearm by a felon.

Where to get help

Here is a list of rehabilitation experts and centers recommended by the Williamson County sheriff's office:

Trauma Recovery Institute. Mental health and substance abuse, partial hospitalizations and intensive outpatient programs in Cedar Park and Austin. Phone: 214-732-7965; email: hena@traumarecoveryinst.com.

  • Responsible Recovery Treatment Center in Bertram. Provides the physical, emotional and spiritual connections needed for long-term recovery. Phone 512-589-2661; email: mmeyers@personalresponsibilityrecovery.com

  • Active Recovery Homes Sober Living and Recovery Coaching in Austin. Alcohol and drug treatment center. Call 512-739-3012; email lauren@activerecoveryhomes.com

  • Away Out Recovery Homes. A faith-based, 12-step recovery home in Austin. Call 737-204-0418 or 713-240-0418; email: awayoutrecoveryhomes@gmail.com.

  • Bringing Real Change recovery center in Manor. Addiction and mental health treatment programs. Phone: 713-360-8745; email: info@brcrecovery.com.

  • Arbor Recovery Center in Georgetown. Home to the most progressive innovative minds in addiction treatment. Phone 512-840-9504; email: nballejo@thearbor.com.

  • Oakvine Recovery Center in Austin. Drug rehab and mental health treatment. Experience holistic treatment in a private and compassionate setting. Phone: 832-387-2804; email brittney@oakvinerecoverycenter.com.

  • Burning Tree Recovery Center in Kaufman. Long-term inpatient and aftercare program designed for the chronic relapse. Phone: 512-419-8686; email ebutton@burningtree.com.

  • Engage and Heal Foundation in Austin. Mental health help, including for veterans. Phone: 512-215-0656; email: amelia@engageandheal.org.

  • Rise Recovery, detox and recovery in Round Rock and Austin. Hospital-based, support after treatment. Phone 24/7: 888-360-0909; email: info@riserecoveryservices.com.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 4 fentanyl overdoses, with 1 dead, reported in Williamson County

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