Texas

Texas woman credits program for her sobriety after fentanyl overdose

Published

2 years ago

July 1, 2024

Texas woman credits program for her sobriety after fentanyl overdose

Woman credits program for sobriety

In April 2023, a Hays County woman survived a fentanyl overdose. She was in the throes of an addiction that nearly killed her. Today, she credits a program called Neighborhood Defender Service for her sobriety.

HAYS COUNTY, Texas – In April 2023, a Hays County woman survived a fentanyl overdose. She was in the throes of an addiction that nearly killed her. Today, she credits a program called Neighborhood Defender Service for her sobriety.

Meaghan Callahan said April 26, 2023, is the day that changed her life forever.

“I don’t remember anything except for waking up to the first responders around me and I really had no idea what had happened,” Callahan said.

Callahan had overdosed on fentanyl. EMS administered four doses of Narcan and saved her life.

“When I came to, and I really just got my senses about me, in that jail cell, I was grateful to even be in a jail cell, it gave me a new lease on life,” Callahan said.

Accidental drug overdoses in Travis County

The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office released its 2023 annual report revealing 279 people died from a fentanyl overdose.

Callahan was in jail and charged with multiple felonies for possession. Police said marijuana was in plain view, and they also found several other types of drugs. Two kids, both under the age of five, were just feet away and were being taken care of by a roommate.

“Children do not deserve to be wrapped up in that world,” Callahan said.

Callahan said she had relapsed. She is a recovering alcoholic and blamed herself, at the time, for trying to get sober alone.

“Even though it was self-medicating, I was trying to treat my alcoholism with the studies that have been done by microdosing ketamine and mushrooms and I felt like that would help me as well as the CBD and cannabis that was found, I thought that that would help me with my postpartum depression to be honest,” Callahan said.

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It almost cost her her life.

“You can’t really fix yourself; you’ve got to go outside yourself to the community and the professionals to get help,” Callahan said.

Callahan was given that opportunity. She was represented by an attorney with the Neighborhood Defender Service, specifically for Hays County.

“We try to help the client instead of just trying to help the case,” Neighborhood Defender Service Texas Meenu Walters said.

Fentanyl deaths growing in Travis Co.: report

The number of fentanyl-related deaths continues to grow in Travis County, according to the 2023 Medical Examiner’s Report.

NDS staff have been handling about 25 percent of all Hays County cases since 2023. Walters said they use a holistic, team-based model of defense, which includes not only lawyers, but social workers, client advocates, and investigators.

“Something that we can try to work on is building out and identifying community-based options for people so that if we can get in and get people the help that they need outside the system, maybe the system is not what they rely on for help,” Walters said.

“I had a whole team around me to really help me just get better,” Callahan said.

A judge gave her a second chance. All of Callahan’s charges were dropped. She’s now in recovery and wants to help others.

“I want to give hope to the people out there that are in active addiction or love people that know there is a solution and there’s a huge team of us waiting to help,” Callahan said.

She encourages people to ask for help because she said a wonderful life is on the other side.

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How to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M 2026 March Madness tickets

Published

6 hours ago

March 20, 2026

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How to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M 2026 March Madness tickets

The Houston Cougars reminded the college basketball world they are a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night.

No. 2 Houston dispatched No. 15 Idaho 78-47 and is heading to the Round of 32 on Saturday.

Led by freshman guard Kingston Flemings, the Cougars routed the Vandals and secured an intra-state matchup in the second round of March Madness.

SHOP: Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness tickets

Now, Houston will take on No. 10 Texas A&M on Saturday, March 21. The Aggies pulled off the minor upset beating St. Mary’s earlier on Thursday evening.

Here is everything you need to know in order to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness basketball second round tickets.

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Shop Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness tickets

When is March Madness 2026?

The First Four tipped off the 2026 March Madness tournament on Tuesday, March 17. The two rounds run between Thursday, March 19 and Sunday, March 22. The tournament concludes with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.

Houston March Madness next opponent

Houston earned a No. 2 seed in the South regional. They team defeated Idaho in the its opening game and have advanced to the Round of 32, where they will play the No. 10 Texas A&M on Saturday. Tickets to Houston’s Round of 32 game start at $192 and includes entry to see No. 4 Nebraska take on No. 5 Vanderbilt as well.

Limited tickets for the first weekend of March Madness in Oklahoma City. are still available. Get your Houston vs. Texas A&M NCAA Tournament tickets now.

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Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness schedule, game time

After defeating Idaho on Thursday, Houston will compete against the Aggies of Texas A&M on Saturday, March 21. Tip off is set for 6:10 p.m ET. Shop Houston Round of 32 tickets now.

More March Madness: Everything fans need to know about the 2026 NCAA Tournament

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Houston March Madness basketball tickets

Limited Houston NCAA Tournament tickets are still available for the Round of 32. Get your Houston March Madness tickets now.

Illinois March Madness game locations

Illinois will play its Round 32 game at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday, March 21. Tip off is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. ET

Limited tickets for the first weekend of March Madness in Oklahoma City. are available. Shop your Houston NCAA Tournament tickets now.

Shop ALL Houston basketball tickets

Houston Sweet 16 tickets

If the Cougars were to advance to the Sweet 16, they’d travel back home to Houston. Sweet 16 tickets in Houston are already available starting at $207.

Shop Houston Sweet 16 tickets

March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament

April 6: National Championship
March 19-20: First round
March 21-22: Second round
March 26-27: Sweet 16
March 28-29: Elite 8
April 4-5: Final Four

Shop ALL March Madness tickets

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North Texas Humane Society takes in about 40 dogs from Caps property

Published

18 hours ago

March 19, 2026

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North Texas Humane Society takes in about 40 dogs from Caps property

Abilene, Texas — The Humane Society of North Texas has taken in approximately 40 dogs from the Caps situation.

However, officials say they were unable to take in four additional dogs due to a higher number of animals than originally anticipated.

RELATED | Dozens of dogs reported on property in Caps, ‘It’s ridiculous’

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Those remaining dogs are now expected to be placed with foster families later this week.

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Saint Mary’s Gaels and Texas A&M Aggies square off in the first round of NCAA Tournament

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2026

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Saint Mary’s Gaels and Texas A&M Aggies square off in the first round of NCAA Tournament

Texas A&M Aggies (21-11, 11-8 SEC) vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels (27-5, 16-3 WCC)

Oklahoma City; Thursday, 7:35 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Gaels -3.5; over/under is 147.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 22 Saint Mary’s (CA) and Texas A&M square off in the NCAA Tournament first round.

The Gaels’ record in WCC play is 16-3, and their record is 11-2 against non-conference opponents. Saint Mary’s (CA) averages 10.2 turnovers per game and is 7-2 when it wins the turnover battle.

The Aggies’ record in SEC play is 11-8. Texas A&M ranks seventh in the SEC with 10.3 offensive rebounds per game led by Rashaun Agee averaging 2.7.

Saint Mary’s (CA) makes 46.2% of its shots from the field this season, which is 2.0 percentage points higher than Texas A&M has allowed to its opponents (44.2%). Texas A&M scores 23.1 more points per game (87.7) than Saint Mary’s (CA) gives up to opponents (64.6).

TOP PERFORMERS: Paulius Murauskas is shooting 48.9% and averaging 18.8 points for the Gaels. Mikey Lewis is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Ruben Dominguez is shooting 40.4% from beyond the arc with 2.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aggies, while averaging 10.3 points. Agee is averaging 15.6 points and 9.2 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Gaels: 8-2, averaging 77.3 points, 38.6 rebounds, 15.7 assists, 5.8 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 64.7 points per game.

Aggies: 4-6, averaging 78.3 points, 32.7 rebounds, 14.2 assists, 6.5 steals and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 42.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 83.6 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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