Health experts talk opioid and fentanyl crisis in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The opioid epidemic continues to spread across the state of Missouri, and experts say fentanyl use is becoming more widespread.
The Columbia Police Department said it has found trace amounts of fentanyl in nearly all illicit drugs, including cocaine, fake pills, and marijuana products.
The Columbia/Boone County Health Department and CPD reported that often people think they are taking other illicit drugs like heroin or cocaine, and don't know it has been laced with fentanyl.
Dave Zellmer, the Public Health Educator for the Columbia/Boone County Health Department said "We know that they're being generated in pretty much any kind of prescription drug that has not been prescribed." Zellmer said, "they're virtually in any pill that can be manufactured."
Fake prescription pills such as Adderall, Percocet, and Xanax, have also been found to contain fentanyl. It only takes between 10-15 grains, the weight of a snowflake, for fentanyl to kill a person.
Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) reported that drug overdose death rates in 2020 were the #1 leading cause of death among adults ages 18-44 in Missouri.
Boone County reported more opioid-related deaths in Boone County than alcohol-related deaths in 2019. With the 25-34 year old age group being the most at risk.
The CDC reported 107,622 overdose-related death's in the United States in 2021, which is nearly a 15% increase from 93,655 deaths in 2020.
Zellmer said, "Missouri's number's for opioid overdose deaths for 2020 there were 1,411, and for 2021 there were 1,609."
The CPD reported 18 overdose-related death's in 2020 in Columbia, 30 in 2021, and 18 in 2022 between January and Mid May. Police Reported 155 overdoses in 2020, 168 in 2021, and 53 in 2022. Computer Aided Dispatch calls "referencing overdoses" reported 300 calls in 2020, 272 in 2021, and 92 in 2022.
Heather Harlan, Public Health Educator with the Columbia/Boone County Health Department said firefighters across the nation are reporting that they are eight times more likely to respond to an overdose than a fire, and local firefighters said they are seeing similar rates.
Zellmer said it's not easy for families dealing with loved ones who suffer from addictions and said that despite the risks, there are still some people who will continue to use drugs. "I would say that if someone is going to use, and they want to know for sure where there is fentanyl or not, in the drug they are going to use, you can get fentanyl test strips. They can't tell you how much fentanyl is in a substance, but they can tell you if it's present."
The Missouri Overdose Rescue and Education (MORE Project) has resources that can help give people lessons on how to administer Narcan, and locations on how to get free Narcan.
