Local, regional and state leaders hold second opioid summit

Teachers were among the more than 300 people who came to an opioid summit held in Columbia Wednesday.

First responders and health care professionals were also in attendance.

Mayor Brian Treece said seeing educators show up to the event signifies the importance of not only first responders knowing about the epidemic, but everyone else, too.

“One of the key takeaways today is that there needs to be more inter-disciplinary attention to this issue. I was proud and also saddened to see an overflow crowd here at this opioid summit,” said Treece.

He went on to talk about the need for Narcan in the hands of all first responders and in the schools.

Treece said the city made sure to use some of its surplus budget to ensure police and firefighters all had access to Narcan.

The last opioid summit of a series of three will be held in St. Louis on Tuesday.