Drug Test – Austin, TX

Substance Abuse Trends and Statistics for Austin, Texas

Austin is part of the Houston Division of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency). It is also the location of the Addiction Research Institute at the University of Texas at Austin – Steve Hicks School of Social Work. The Addiction Research Institute’s report on the state of drug use in Texas showed that methamphetamine is the top drug threat for all three DEA agencies in Texas, including the Houston unit, covering Austin. In 2019, the top four drug threats in the Austin area, according to the Houston DEA, are methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and other opioids, and cannabis (marijuana). The fifth biggest threat according to the 2019 drug report is synthetic cannabis, which includes K2 and Spice. The Travis County Medical Examinerreported that 226 people died of drug-related causes in the county in 2018.

Community Efforts to Alleviate Drug Problems in Austin

The 2019 Austin/Travis County Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs (ATOD) Needs Assessment identified 26 organizations which provided education, referrals, and drug prevention services. Nine organizations in Austin and Travis County provided harm reduction services, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders in 2018. A total of 55 substance use disorder treatment organizations responded to the 2019 Needs Assessment, providing drug and alcohol treatment ranging from medically supervised detox services to residential rehab and outpatient treatment programs.

Recent Drug Policy Decisions in Austin

In April 2019, Travis County’s District Attorney Margaret Moore announced new drug prosecution protocols for Austin and surrounding areas. Moore reported to the Austin Statesman that her office had already instructed crime labs in Austin and surrounding areas to stop testing samples for trace amounts of drugs. The DA’s office was reviewing policies for prosecution of less than a gram of illegal drugs. The DA reported that about 30 to 35% of drug cases involving amounts of less than a gram of illegal drugs were already dismissed. First-time drug offenses would be handled on a case-by-case basis, with diversion programs an option for small amounts of drugs, particularly marijuana.

A “Booming” Economy in Austin

With experts referring to the local economy as “booming” and “red-hot,” it’s not likely that things here are going to change any time soon. Austin is one of the country’s fastest-growing metro areas and was named the number one place to live in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. The area’s diversified economy supports its outlook for sustained long-term economic growth.

Austin Industry and Job Outlook

Thanks to a large and talented pool of workers, a solid regional infrastructure, and the excellent quality of life the area offers, the Austin area is a top destination for corporations looking to establish their headquarters. It helps that Texas, with one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the United States, is an attractive place to create a business. In 2017, the cost of living in Austin was 3% below the national average.

Silicon Hills

Some of the largest tech companies in Austin include 3M, Google, eBay/PayPal, Hewlett-Packard, Samsung Group, Intel Corporation, Oracle Corporation and more. One of Austin’s largest employers is Apple. There, they deal with chip engineering, administrative support, and other engineering issues. Dell Technologies also employ over 6,000 Texans. IBM is a large employer in the Austin area. These widely known companies’ presence in this area help establish Austin as a major player in the US technology scene. In fact, the city is sometimes referred to as “Silicon Hills,” due to the high number of tech companies found here.

Current residents and those moving to the area have plenty of employment opportunities. It’s also the state’s capital, which means there are many job opportunities in the federal, state, and local government sector.

The Art Scene of Austin

Austin has some of the greatest artistry in the country. With its combination of live music venues and trendy boutiques, it is an epicenter of art itself, and with it comes a calm and serene lifestyle. Downtown, there lies streets filled with many different types of restaurants, bars, and food trucks. The indie art scene has also gained some headway as new and improved art studios and galleries have been created. One such example is the Canopy, which is a renovated East Austin warehouse that houses 45 artist’s studios, a beautiful gallery space, and a coffee shop. And that’s only one of the many studios in Austin! With this much artistry, innovation and new thought are right around the corner.