CDC reports a reduction of drug overdoses in Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Signs of relief in the nation’s overdose crisis.

New state-level data from the CDC shows both fatal and nonfatal overdose cases are down in the Ozarks and across Missouri.

“An overdose can happen to anyone at any place,” said Julie Viele with the Springfield Greene County Health Department.

There have been 16% fewer people who have died in May of 2024 compared to May of 2023. The nonfatal cases dropped by more than 28% during the same time period. Springfield-Greene County Health Department leaders say the number of cases is also going down locally.

In many cases, the availability of Narcan has made a difference.

“I would say it’s a factor in regards to seeing a trend in plateauing or decreasing the overdose rates,” said Viele.

According to Mercy EMS Director Bob Patterson, the non-fatal cases reported to emergency rooms are also down.

“Part of those reduced numbers is due to the Narcan leave-behind kits which we have been providing in this community for some time,” he said.

The efforts to fight overdoses within the community aren’t limited to Narcan.

“We also have an app called Revive. It is another tool that the health department launched in June of 2023. It is a tool to provide step-by-step instructions on how to respond if someone is having an overdose,” said Viele.

But the news isn’t all good. Officials say there’s still a lot of work to do to fight the community health crisis.

Patterson said, “We’re still seeing roughly 1 to 2 to 3 a day. We have historically seen some spikes from time to time. Our partners in the community will communicate that very rapidly so that we’re all prepared.

“We still have high prevalence rates. The efforts still need to be there. We still need to get the Naloxone in the hands of our community members and make everybody aware,” said Viele.

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