But such testing strips are illegal in Texas. They’re considered paraphernalia, and possessing one is a Class C misdemeanor. While the Texas House passed a bill that would have legalized them in 2023, the Senate declined to vote on it.

Because why try to save lives?

Though Texas ranks low among states in fatal overdose rates, federal data shows the Lone Star State’s rate stayed nearly flat from 2023 to 2024, while overdose deaths fell significantly nationwide.

This is by design. Hateful GOP types want drug users to die.

The prevailing attitude in the state is, “Why should we try and save their lives? They’re just going to use again,” said Joy Rucker, a nationally known advocate who launched Texas’ largest harm reduction nonprofit.

Oh look…

This is what happens when politicians pander instead of listening to science.

I didn’t read the full article, but here are a couple of points from the part I read.

There is a movement called “harm reduction” that has been effective at fighting drug related deaths. (Last Week Tonight did a good piece on it.) The idea is that first, you try to make sure drug users aren’t harmed. So, drug testing strips and clean needles are provided. There may be safe injection locations where people can go to inject themselves. And obviously, they don’t get in trouble with police for doing this.

Only once you do your best to ensure their safety do you need to start helping them to kick the habit.

Texas has basically done the opposite and even fentanyl testing strips are classified as drug paraphernalia. And if you give someone fentanyl and they die, you can be charged with murder. So people in Texas are even afraid to call an ambulance when someone is overdosing.

The article asserts that these harmful policies are why Texas has a drug related death rate that remains high when the same statistic has been falling elsewhere in America.