HEROES-Houston ER Opioid System

06/23/2026

Texas ICON's Edward Hanley met with Galveston Island Beach Patrol members to train them on opioid use disorder, Naloxone use to save lives and other related topics. Galveston Island reports high overdose cases particularly during summer months. Thanks to Chief Kirwin for his interest in keeping beaches safe!

06/16/2026

The Honor Nicole Wallace Houston Emergency Opioid Engagement System (Honor's HEROES) is one of the flagship programs of the Center for Behavioral Emergency and Addiction Research, led by Dr. James Langabeer. Heroes is a national clinical trial providing street outreach to individuals who have called 911 for drug overdoses or have been treated in an affiliated hospital emergency department. If enrolled, individuals will receive rapid induction with buprenorphine, and comprehensive medical and behavioral treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Heroes also provides groups, individual coaching, and ongoing peer recovery support.
The Honor's HEROES program maintains an outpatient research clinic based at the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics facility, with medical oversight by emergency physicians and staffed with advanced practice providers. The program offers medical, behavioral health, peer support, and other services. Heroes has been continuously funded since 2018 and has enrolled more than 1,500 individuals, distributed more than 4,000 units of Narcan across the state of Texas, provided educational programs reaching nearly 12,000 and has served over 30,000 in all awareness, education, primary prevention, and treatment efforts. Need help? Call us at 833-696-5102

06/12/2026

C-BEAR keeps a network of free NARCAN dispensers in our region. Meet Johnny Gonzales, Peer Support Specialist, replenishing a vending machine at the UT Physicians building located at 6410 Fannin in the Texas Medical Center. Samples are re-stocked at the beginning of each week.
Our Honor's HEROES branded NARCAN dispensers also contain program brochures, and product use information. Every lifesaving NARCAN sample includes a QR code to report any possible overdose. Please click below to report a drug overdose: https://go.uth.edu/ICON_OverdoseReporting
Year-to-date, our team has distributed more than 4,000 NARCAN samples region-wide. Need help? Call 833-696-5102

06/10/2026

Peer support services specialist Yamileth Thomas participated in the "Current Drug Trends: Clinical Implications - A workshop for prescribers and mental health professionals" event last Thursday. Thanks to Harris County Public Health - Substance Use Prevention Program for organizing a most needed clinical and academic gathering of healthcare professionals. Our C-BEAR table included flyers and informational materials for counselors working in hospitals and community centers. Conversations with attendees included how to get rid of stigma, Narcan training for workers, and connection with healthcare stakeholders.

06/03/2026

⭐️ Please Share ⭐️

The UTHealth Houston Center for Behavioral Emergency and Addiction Research (C-BEAR) have immediate openings for our outpatient program and state-funded slots for those who meet the criteria across 49 counties in Texas.

✨️ No Cost Services include: tele-medicine, counseling, peer support, counseling/ peer groups, and referrals to community services.

UTHealth Texas ICON

• Phone: 833-696-5102
• Email: [email protected]
• Direct Referral: https://go.uth.edu/iconreferral

Texas ICON supports treatment, recovery, overdose prevention and education, and patient navigation to reduce the burden of and throughout the State of Texas.

❣️Counties Served Below❣️

⭐️ Region 2 ⭐️
1. Angelina
2. Brazoria
3. Galveston
4. Hardin
5. Jasper
6. Jefferson
7. Liberty
8. Nacogdoches
9. Newton
10. Orange
11. Polk
12. Sabine
13. San Augustine
14. San Jacinto
15. Shelby
16. Tyler

⭐️ Region 3 ⭐️
1. Austin
2. Calhoun
3. Chambers
4. Colorado
5. Fort Bend
6. Harris
7. Matagorda
8. Waller
9. Wharton

⭐️ Region 4 ⭐️
1. Aransas
2. Bee
3. Brooks
4. DeWitt
5. Duval
6. Goliad
7. Gonzales
8. Jackson
9. Jim Wells
10. Karnes
11. Kenedy
12. Kleberg
13. Lavaca
14. Live Oak
15. Nueces
16. Refugio
17. San Patricio
18. Victoria

⭐️ Region 7 ⭐️
1. Bastrop
2. Caldwell
3. Fayette
4. Hays/ Comal
5. Lee
6. Travis

06/01/2026

UTHealth Texas ICON
• Phone: 833-696-5102
• Direct Referral: https://go.uth.edu/iconreferral

✨️ No Cost Services include: tele-medicine, counseling, peer support, counseling/ peer groups, and referrals to community services. ✨️

UTHealth Texas ICON

• Phone: 833-696-5102
• Email: [email protected]
• Direct Referral: https://go.uth.edu/iconreferral

Texas ICON supports treatment, recovery, overdose prevention and education, and patient navigation to reduce the burden of and throughout the State of Texas.

❣️Counties Served Below❣️

⭐️ Region 2 ⭐️
1. Angelina
2. Brazoria
3. Galveston
4. Hardin
5. Jasper
6. Jefferson
7. Liberty
8. Nacogdoches
9. Newton
10. Orange
11. Polk
12. Sabine
13. San Augustine
14. San Jacinto
15. Shelby
16. Tyler

⭐️ Region 3 ⭐️
1. Austin
2. Calhoun
3. Chambers
4. Colorado
5. Fort Bend
6. Harris
7. Matagorda
8. Waller
9. Wharton

⭐️ Region 4 ⭐️
1. Aransas
2. Bee
3. Brooks
4. DeWitt
5. Duval
6. Goliad
7. Gonzales
8. Jackson
9. Jim Wells
10. Karnes
11. Kenedy
12. Kleberg
13. Lavaca
14. Live Oak
15. Nueces
16. Refugio
17. San Patricio
18. Victoria

⭐️ Region 7 ⭐️
1. Bastrop
2. Caldwell
3. Fayette
4. Hays/ Comal
5. Lee
6. Travis

UTHealth Houston
McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston

05/26/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! The Center for Behavioral Emergency and Addiction Research (C-BEAR) at UTHealth Houston reaffirms its commitment to advancing research, education, and community partnerships that improve behavioral health outcomes across Texas and beyond. Mental health challenges affect individuals, families, first responders, healthcare professionals, and entire communities. Through innovative programs, evidence-based research, and collaborative outreach, C-BEAR works to better understand behavioral emergencies, addiction, trauma, and recovery while helping develop solutions that save lives and strengthen resilience.
This month is an important reminder that mental health is essential to overall health. By promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and supporting access to care, we can create healthier and more compassionate communities. C-BEAR remains dedicated to building a future where research, prevention, and intervention come together to support hope, healing, and long-term recovery for all. Need help? Contact us at: 833-696-5102