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Opioid deaths in Missouri increased at slower rate than previous year

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — While the number of opioid related deaths increased in 2017 compared to 2016, they did so at a much lower rate than the previous year.

“The opioid crisis is the number one public health issue Missouri is facing,” said Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services director Dr. Randall Williams.

In 2015, 672 Missourian’s died from opioid related causes. That number increase to 908 opioid-related deaths in 2016 — a 35 percent increase. In 2017, 951 Missourians died from opioids — a 4.7 percent increase.

Of those that died from opioids in 2017, 298 were heroin deaths and 653 were opioid deaths that were non-heroin.

“The declining rate of opioid deaths shows improvement statewide; however, we recognize that one loss is too many and we are committed to working as hard as we can to decrease the number of deaths,” said Williams.

“We must continue our efforts to find innovative solutions to combat and curb opioid abuse,” said Gov. Mike Parson. “We remain committed to fighting this drug epidemic and will work to help all families and individuals throughout Missouri to end this epidemic.”

Missouri is one of several states in the nation that is suffering through an opioid abuse crisis. The Executive Branch and the General Assembly have taken steps to address the issues in recent years.

One of the most significant efforts Missouri Department of Social Services has undertaken is trying to decrease the potential for people to become addicted to opioids.

Prescriber data is now being proactively reviewed once received from a pharmacy benefit manager, which is provided to DHSS voluntarily. While no patient information is received, it allows the department to analyze data to identify activity indicating that controlled substances, including opioids, are being inappropriately prescribed, dispensed or obtained, and for DHSS to take appropriate action. DHSS has stepped up investigations of improper prescription behavior through its Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

DHSS is also working with Missouri’s Medicaid Program, MO HealthNet, to improve interactions with providers and to ensure MO HealthNet patients are receiving care according to best practice guidelines for opioid prescribing. These quality indicators are used for provider education and also to engage physicians.

“The Department of Social Services is committed to making a positive difference and saving lives as our neighbors, friends, family and colleagues struggle with opioids,” said Steve Corsi, DSS director. “There is no group of people who are immune to opioid addiction and we are engaged with physicians and physician groups to work to refine an early detection and prevention system for opioids while reducing administrative burdens on physicians so they can remain focused on patient care. We’ve made great strides in shifting the trajectory of opioid deaths in Missouri over the past year and we want to see that progress accelerate.”

The Missouri Department of Mental Health, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Missouri, St. Louis – Missouri Institute of Mental Health, received a grant to expand access to integrated prevention, treatment and recovery support services for individuals with opioid use disorder throughout the state. This grant, known as the Missouri Opioid State Targeted Response is implementing a “medication first” treatment model, designed to increase access to evidence-based medications for OUD.

“Early results from the STR grant efforts indicate a successful implementation of the medication first model. At agencies throughout the state, individuals were more likely to receive medication for OUD and receive the medication sooner, needed fewer psychosocial services and remained in treatment longer,” said Mark Stringer, DMH director.

In addition, the grant has supplied over 5,000 naloxone kits to at-risk individuals and their loved ones, and clinicians who work with at-risk populations.

Other efforts to reduce opioid related deaths include:

  • The passing of Senate Bill 826 that limits initial new prescriptions of opioids to a seven day supply. This bill allows BNDD to implement rules so drug disposal boxes may be placed in pharmacies for citizens to use. The current drug take-back events held every six months in Missouri are averaging almost 40,000 pounds per event over the past two years.
  • The passing of HB 2280, which extends MO HealthNet coverage an additional year for mothers in need of substance use treatment. The extended coverage would be limited to benefits for substance use treatment and mental health services so long as the woman remains adherent with the treatment. Missouri is the first state in the nation to pass such a policy.
  • Establishing the St. Louis Emergency Operations Center. The Missouri Departments of Health and Senior Services, Social Services, Corrections, Public Safety, Economic Development and Mental Health in partnership with the City of St. Louis Departments of Health, Human Services, Fire, EMS, Police and the DEA have launched St. Louis Emergency Operations Center, a command center aimed at reducing opioid overdose death and homicides. The command center operations will take place from the City of St. Louis Department of Health. The command center response team will utilize predictive analytics and public health intelligence to guide interventions. The response team will perform secondary assessments to determine the need for substance abuse treatment and/or additional wrap around support or services, once individuals have been duly stabilized by City of St. Louis emergency first responders.
  • Creating the Missouri Overdose Rescue and Education project through a federal grant awarded to the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services to provide naloxone to first responders and train them on administering the nasal spray to reverse an apparent opioid overdose. Additional information on the MORE project can be found at:https://health.mo.gov/safety/ems/more/.