Texas, and many other states like it currently faces a drug poisoning epidemic. Deaths related to drug poisoning have increased by more than 75% in the past five years with certain populations facing worse outcomes than others. To address this, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) launched the Texas Overdose Data to Action (TODA) program funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In 2024, PPRI was contracted to conduct an evaluation of the TODA program focusing on prevention related strategies.

For the next five years, we will evaluate the program comprehensively by:
• Performing a landscape analysis of Texas overdose-related strategies and challenges.
• Supporting DSHS and its partners in collecting quantitative data to track programmatic progress and outcomes.
• Conducting in-depth focus groups with stakeholders in Texas communities.
• Creating a lived-experience community workgroup to foster conversation around program and evaluation goals.

For more information, please contact Maddison Holder at holder14@tamu.edu.