Over the last decade, drug overdose deaths in Missouri and Kansas have continued to climb every year, often by double-digit percentages. But in 2023, that changed as overdose deaths declined by at least 10%, mirroring national data.
In Missouri, preliminary data for 2024 shows a 34% drop in overdose deaths. While there are still many unknowns when it comes to the dramatic turnaround, local experts agree that the prevalence of the drug naloxone, known by its brand name Narcan, has something to do with it.
Earlier this month, Jackson County Public Health installed free Narcan dispensers at all three Raytown Fire Stations, making the overdose-reversal drug more accessible to residents.
Matt Cushman, a community paramedic with the Raytown Fire Protection District, says programs like these play a role in lowering overdose numbers.
"I think there's definitive, correlative evidence to support what we're doing by both having public, accessible Narcan as well as our ambulance crews and fire crews leaving Narcan behind when they have an overdose call. Getting those out in our neighborhoods (is a) critical component to reducing fatalities," Cushman said.
- Seth Middleton, program coordinator at Jackson County Public Health
- Matt Cushman, community paramedic at the Raytown Fire Protection District
