Over 14,000 people have died from drug overdose in Missouri between 2016 and 2023. Drug overdose is the number one cause of death among adults age 18-44 in Missouri.
Those are not just another statistic, said Paula Nickelson, Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services.
“The burden of drug overdose impacts families, communities, and healthcare systems,” she said. “The drug epidemic affects all genders, all races, and many age groups in rural and urban Missouri communities.”
She told a legislative task force that Missouri’s estimated economic cost associated with fighting substance use disorder is $8.5 billion.
Nickelson said that lawmakers recommended a focus on what she calls syringe service programs.
“Current data indicates that this is an effective harm reduction strategy that reduces the impact of substance abuse, prevents the spread of communicable disease, and can be an excellent interface for those seeking treatment,” Nickelson said. “Such programs have often been plagued by misunderstanding.”
Syringe service programs also protect first responders and the public by providing safe needle disposal and reducing the presence of discarded needles in the community. One perception people have about the programs, she says, is that they encourage drug use and increase crime rates. Nickelson said that people use substances to relieve other underlying issues impacting their lives such as HIV, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and sexually transmitted infections.
“Syringe services programs provide a way to reduce the spread of disease and reduce overdoses,” she added. “These programs provide care to individuals who may not typically be engaged in healthcare. It has been shown that where syringe services programs are effectively implemented, the prevalence of HIV amongst individuals who inject drugs is low.”
A legislative task force meets monthly at the state Capitol to discuss ways to reduce substance misuse in Missouri.
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