Healthy Garland

Public Health

Public Health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities by:

  • Detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases
  • Promoting healthy lifestyles
  • Providing immunization services
  • Researching disease and injury prevention

The goal of the health department is to improve and protect the health of people living in all of our great city’s neighborhoods, zip codes, and communities. To this end, the department seeks opportunities for improving service, value, and accountability to community members and stakeholders.

If you are interested in partnership and would like to request a community vaccination event or speaker about a public health topic, use this form. 

Search and connect to support. Financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help starts here

 If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, chat with them online via their website, or text HOME to 741741 (multiple languages available). If this is an emergency, call 911.

Commercial* tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Every day in the United States, about 1,600 young people under age 18 try their first cigarette, and nearly 200 end up smoking cigarettes daily. For more information about e-cigarettes, see this fact sheet and resources below.

Opioids are drugs used in the treatment of pain. As prescribed by a doctor, opioids can help patients in recovery. Opioids present a risk as they can become addictive. Regular use of opioids can lead to increased tolerance and dependence, which leads to seeking stronger, more frequent doses. You should only use opioids prescribed to you by your doctor.

Overdose

An overdose of opioids can cause a person to stop breathing, which can lead to death.

You should call 911 immediately if a person is exhibiting the following symptoms:

  • Their face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch
  • Their body goes limp
  • Their fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color
  • They start vomiting or making gurgling noises
  • They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak
  • Their breathing or heartbeat slows or stops

The medication naloxone can be used to reverse an opioid overdose. Anyone who is treated with naloxone following an overdose will still need to receive medical intervention as soon as possible. For more information, see https://www.morenarcanplease.com/

 Types of Opioids

Common types of opioids include:

  • Fentanyl 
  • OxyContin 
  • Hydrocodone 
  • Vicodin 
  • Morphine 
  • Codeine 
  • Heroin 

Powdered fentanyl looks just like many other drugs. It is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and made into pills that are made to resemble other prescription opioids. Fentanyl-laced drugs are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs are laced with fentanyl

Fact Sheets