Drugs Archives

Randolph County Sheriff’s Office finds escaped inmate in woods

August 26, 2023 10:37 AM abc17news-Newsroom

RANDOLPH COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Randolph County Sheriff’s office reports that an inmate who escaped custody while at a hospital Saturday morning has been found. The sheriff’s office said that Toby Kindell was taken to the Moberly Regional Center in an ambulance for a report of chest pains. Kindell was allegedly treated and released later

Central Missouri offers a glimmer of hope amid growing drug overdose numbers

July 13, 2023 11:41 AM Mitchell Kaminski

A new report from the University of Missouri-St. Louis shows that Central Missouri saw a decrease in its rate of drug overdose deaths between 2021 and 2022.

Woman charged with murder in Columbia drug overdose arrested

July 12, 2023 11:11 AM Matthew Sanders

A Rocheport woman charged with murder in connection with a 2021 fentanyl overdose was in the Boone County Jail on Wednesday.

Fentanyl a topic at Blinken’s meeting with China president

June 19, 2023 7:11 PM Erika McGuire

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with China President Xi Jinping this week, and among the many topics discussed included fentanyl, according to the Associated Press. An Associated Press report states Blinken also pressed leaders to curb the production and export of fentanyl precursors that are fueling the opioid crisis in

Teen fentanyl use, deaths on the rise

June 13, 2023 11:48 AM Mitchell Kaminski

Teen fentanyl deaths went up 182%, according to a recent study.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Has someone you know been hurt by fentanyl?

June 13, 2023 2:36 AM ABC 17 News Team

The synthetic opioid has been showing up in pills that are being sold as other drugs. Last week the Pettis County sheriff said deputies found more than 800 counterfeit Percocet pills containing fentanyl during a traffic stop.

Sheriff: Columbia teen was driver of car with 800 fake Percocet pills made of fentanyl

June 12, 2023 5:04 PM Matthew Sanders

The sheriff of a Mid-Missouri county said over the weekend that the driver of a car carrying more than 800 fake Percocet pills made from fentanyl was a runaway teenager from Columbia.

Three charged with murder in Columbia drug overdose death

May 19, 2023 1:32 PM Matthew Sanders

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Prosecutors have charged three people with murder and another with drug distribution in connection with a December 2021 fentanyl overdose death, according to court records. Jonathan G. Shelley, Nicholas Grathwohl and Jeanne M. Hovis, all of Columbia, were charged this week with second-degree murder and drug distribution for the Dec. 26, 2021

Fentanyl Awareness Day remembers those who died from overdoses

May 9, 2023 11:37 AM Ethan Heinz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) According to news release from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Tuesday represents an opportunity to remember those who have died of fentanyl poisoning and educate people about the threat of the drug. The first National Fentanyl Awareness Day was last year. In memory of the first day, the DEA opened the

Narcan distribution program to be voted on at Monday’s City Council Meeting

April 30, 2023 7:52 PM Isabella Roberts

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Missouri Institute of Mental Health and the UMSL Addiction Science Team have created a naloxone distribution pilot program that will be voted on at Monday’s City Council meeting. According to UMSL’s Science Addiction Team, opioid overdoses made up 72% of drug overdose deaths in Missouri. Naloxone, more commonly referred to as

Two people charged after slew of drugs found at Camden County residence

April 26, 2023 8:04 PM Ryan Shiner

CAMDENTON, Mo. (KMIZ) Two people were arrested Monday in Camdenton after a search at a residence on Hopkin’s Circle led to a haul of drugs being seized., according to a press release from Camdenton police. Justin W. McLain, 25, and Laura A. McLain, 42, both of Camdenton, are each charged with one count of first-degree

DEA calls ‘tranq’ the ‘deadliest drug threat US has ever faced’

April 18, 2023 11:39 AM Mitchell Kaminski

Another legal drug is contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis in America and becoming a growing threat to communities, law enforcement officials say.

Prescription drug take back events to be held in Mid-Missouri

April 12, 2023 3:47 PM Ryan Shiner

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Prescription drug take-back events are occurring around Mid-Missouri. One will occur 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Jefferson City Police Department. The event is part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules patches and other

Mexico man sentenced in federal case involving high-speed chase and crash

March 15, 2023 3:01 PM Matthew Sanders

A Mexico, Missouri, man accused of being part of a high-speed chase last March that ended with a crash into several vehicles was sentenced to prison Wednesday.

Boone County Commission considers participating in opioid settlement

March 9, 2023 5:24 PM Ethan Heinz

The Boone County Commission had its first hearing Thursday on whether to get part of a massive settlement with manufacturers and pharmacies found responsible for contributing to the opioid epidemic.

Columbia police find 12,000 doses of cocaine, fentanyl during traffic stop

March 1, 2023 12:13 AM Katie Greathouse

Boone County prosecutors charged two Florida men Monday after police said they found more than 12,000 doses of a cocaine-fentanyl mixture during a traffic stop.