Border Initiative

Research

Border Substance Abuse research conducted by the Addiction Research Institute, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin

More statistics can be found on the DSHS Substance Abuse web site.

Texas-Mexico Border Strategic Plan

The Texas-Mexico border stretches 889 miles and consists of 43 counties, as described by Texas Senate Bill 501 (76 th Legislative Session, 1999). On the Mexican side there are four states that border Texas: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Residents on both sides of the border co-exist and have traditionally recognized themselves as a single community. The U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and other federal agencies define the Texas-Mexico border as one hundred kilometers or 62 miles on either side of the Rio Grande River.

The Need

Border communities face many challenging conditions that are uniquely characteristic of the border region. Published research and DSHS Substance Abuse Services studies have concluded that certain illicit drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, have traditionally been high for the border region in comparison to the rest of the state. Data indicates that Hispanic adults and youth have a higher prevalence rate for cocaine and heroin use as the primary drug at admission to treatment.

Families and Schools Together (FAST)

FAST is a research-based program that creates structured opportunities for families of elementary-age students to participate in repeated, positive experiences with their children and other families in a school setting. The program provides an eight-week multi-family session cycle in which a parent self help group, parent/child play therapy, structured family communication games, parent networking, and a family meal are all part of the framework.

News:

The first ever bi-national border-long observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Events, sponsored by the newly formed Bi-national Alliance of Border Coalitions ,took place from Texas/Chihuahua to California/Baja. This public event between El Paso, Las Cruces and Juarez will began with a reading of a proclamation by the Mayor. Following comments from the Mayors, horseback riders meet in the middle of the river to raise an arch of balloons, in the colors of our respective countries, over the Rio Grande.

Primary Goal:

Foster healthy border communities through available, accessible, and culturally comprehensive substance abuse prevention and treatment services.

DSHS Substance Abuse Services promotes service models that are family-based and that engage families in prevention and treatment services. These service models must be bi-lingual, culturally competent, and adaptive to border populations. There are many research-based models that focus on the improvement of family relationships. DSHS Substance Abuse Services will increase services in prevention to families by supporting local use of the service models listed and described below:

Links:

Legislative Corner

National Online Documents

US Mexico Border Map

The Border Environment Dialogue Project

Causes and Trends in Migrant Deaths Along the US-Mexican Border

U.S. - Mexico Border Alliance Directory

*The purpose of this directory is to serve as a bi-national resource for substance abuse prevention & treatment providers.