Substance Use Disorder

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services appears poised to cut a $56 million annual grant program that pays for some of Missouri's overdose reversal medication and training.

Missouri officials say the overdose reversal drug naloxone helped contribute to the first decrease in drug-related deaths in nearly a decade.

For the last year, it’s been legal in Missouri to use a tool that tests other drugs for the presence of fentanyl, a very strong and deadly opioid. KBIA’s Rebecca Smith takes a look at where people can find fentanyl test strips and the role they play in combating the ongoing opioid overdose epidemic.

Christina Lee in St. Louis. She works at the St. Louis Empowerment Center as a peer case manager supervisor. She spoke about peer support workers and the important role these folks can play in recovery.

Stacey Andrews in Lynn Meyerkord both work at the AIDS Project of the Ozarks, or APO, in Springfield. They spoke about the history of harm reduction and how folks may already be using harm reduction techniques in their everyday lives.

Jeff Horwitz is the CEO of Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic Project, or SAFE, a national organization working to end overdose deaths. He spoke a little about how the safe storage – and timely disposal – of prescription medications at home can protect families.

In the final installment of The Weight of Evidence, we’ll hear from citizens and city officials about how they feel the December 2023 incident was handled - and what recovery resources are available in Fayette.

In the fourth installment of The Weight of Evidence, we hear about drug disposal options for law enforcement and everyday people – and the challenges that can come with it.

Joe Jefferies is a certified peer support specialist who lives in Fayette. They spoke about their queer identity and journey toward recovery from substance use disorder, as well as about the need for more resources in rural communities.

The Boone County Overdose Response Coalition hosted a community discussion Tuesday night at Hickman High School to address an increase in drug overdose-related deaths in Boone County.