Texas bans many proven tools for helping drug users. Advocates are handing them out anyway.

Devin Mathieu and his partner, Claudia Dambra, discuss someone who might need a package containing life-saving harm reduction supplies in their apartment on Sept. 16. (Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune)

Texans seeking help for substance use can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s free help line at 800-662-4357. They can also access services available in their region through the Texas Health and Human Services website.

Editor’s note: This story contains explicit language.