ST. LOUIS, Mo. – St. Louis city leaders are addressing the increasing number of opioid overdose cases they receive daily.
On Wednesday morning, St. Louis firefighters responded to two separate overdose calls in south city. The incidents occurred around 4:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Emergency crews administered Narcan to revive the patients. Three individuals were taken to a nearby hospital, while two declined medical attention.
“Multiple overdoses are unfortunately not uncommon. Dealing with five overdoses at once is on the extreme side, but thankfully, our personnel are trained to handle these situations,” said James Thomas, a paramedic. “The issue is growing, with the emergence of more synthetic substances on the streets. Some substances are even resistant to Narcan, which complicates matters for us.”
Authorities are actively engaging in education and outreach programs on opioid use. Recently, they installed two Narcan distribution boxes in the city, one near the city health department and the other close to the Soulard Market entrance.
This initiative marks the beginning of wider access to Narcan for the residents of St. Louis, as stated by officials.
“It’s about connecting people to services, being proactive in the community, and in case of an overdose, ensuring they can access a kit from the box to save a life,” explained Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, the City of St. Louis director of health.
Overdose fatalities have been increasing since 2017, reaching a peak in 2020 with 490 cases. In 2023, the number dropped only slightly to 489 overdose deaths.
