Study highlights fentanyl deaths in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A new study by the Missouri State Medical Association highlights the growing trend in fentanyl deaths in Missouri.

The study shows there was an increase in the number of deadly opioid overdose deaths in 2021 compared to 2020. This is according the study published in Missouri Medicine, the journal of the Missouri State Medical Association.

The study also says St. Louis City leads in opioid deaths followed by Dent County. This is followed by Crawford, Washington, Phelps, St. Francois, Jefferson and Warren counties.

The study says the data shows there was a rise along counties outside major cities especially around the interstate-44 corridor.

A press release references an article, “Missouri’s Fentanyl Poisonings Rise to Record Levels – Part I,”which illustrates how the fake pills are often labeled with brand names like alprazolam or oxycodone but may contain only fentanyl at lethal levels.