ST. LOUIS — The ºüÀêÊÓƵ region is by far the biggest driver of overdoses in Missouri, but the number of overdose deaths leveled off here in the first three quarters of 2021.
There were 780 overdose deaths in the ºüÀêÊÓƵ metropolitan area during the first three quarters of 2021, down two from a year prior, according to the latest analysis of data by the Missouri Institute of Mental Health at the University of Missouri-ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
The ºüÀêÊÓƵ metro area was the only region in Missouri that didn’t see an increase, the analysis shows.
Fatal overdoses in the Kansas City metro area rose from 191 to 268, or 40%, the highest percentage increase statewide. The northeast region, with 33 fatal overdoses, was up 38%. The southwest region, with 211 deaths, was up 37%.
The ºüÀêÊÓƵ region still accounts for half of overdose deaths statewide; 78% of the African American deaths were from the ºüÀêÊÓƵ area.
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In an email, Rachel Winograd, director of the state’s opioid response grant, said attempts to pinpoint why the numbers leveled off in ºüÀêÊÓƵ are speculative. She said there are many systems and forces at play in peoples’ lives.
However, she noted, there has been more programming, street outreach and distribution of Narcan nasal spray and other “harm-reduction†strategies, particularly in north ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
“Though of course we still need more,†she said.
Winograd said “a very sad and dark interpretation†could be that “our poisoned drug supply has taken so many victims over the past few years, there may not be as large of an at-risk population left.â€
“In regions outside of ºüÀêÊÓƵ, fentanyl has taken over the drug supply more recently, and these areas may be seeing their largest increases of deaths yet,†she said.
Callan Montgomery, founder of Haven Recovery, said she sees peer supports and more rapid access to housing having an impact.
“The numbers are still dismal, but they were even worse in years past,†Montgomery said of the ºüÀêÊÓƵ region. “We have been trying to partner more and make sure the right hand knows what the left hand is doing.â€
Originally posted at noon Tuesday, March 8.