St. Louis County health officials issued a public health alert after recording nearly 200 suspected nonfatal overdoses from late August through September, KMOV First Alert 4 reported. Overdose-related emergency visits ran above expected levels during three separate weeks.
These were people who survived, and that is exactly why health officials are paying attention. A rise in nonfatal overdoses can signal a more dangerous drug supply, heavier use, or gaps in treatment, and it gives families and outreach workers a window to act.
Weekly Emergency Visits and the Drugs Involved
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health counted 54 suspected overdose-related emergency department visits during the week of Aug. 23 and 47 the following week. Most cases involved men ages 34 to 44, and most patients were Black, according to the county's data as reported by KMOV.
Cases were concentrated in the 63136 ZIP code, which includes Jennings and Castle Point in north St. Louis County. Officials said the overdoses involved all drug types, including over-the-counter, prescription, and illicit drugs.
Opioids were the primary concern, with several reports specifically mentioning fentanyl. Benzodiazepines and marijuana were also identified.
Survived Overdoses as an Early Warning
"Whenever we see non-fatal overdoses, that could be a proxy to someone actually experiencing a fatal overdose," said Kanika Cunningham, M.D., director of the county health department. Nonfatal overdoses, she said, are "the opportunities that we can still intervene and save a life."
Emergency visits are one of the fastest signals health departments have. The CDC runs a national system that tracks nonfatal overdose emergency visits built on the same idea: following survived overdoses in near real time helps agencies spot changes before death records, which can take months to finalize, show the trend.
A person who survives an overdose also faces a higher risk of another one. An emergency visit is often the moment when treatment, naloxone, and follow-up care can be offered, if the connection is made before discharge.
Families of someone recently treated for an overdose can ask the care team about medications for opioid use disorder, such as buprenorphine or methadone. These treatments lower the risk of future overdose, and buprenorphine can often be started in the emergency department.
Families in North County and Beyond
The concentration in one ZIP code does not mean risk stops at its boundaries. Fentanyl is potent in tiny amounts, and people who do not use opioids regularly can overdose on pills or powders they believe contain something else.
"It can happen to anyone, and it can happen anywhere," said Jenny Armbruster, executive director of the St. Louis prevention nonprofit PreventEd. She urged residents to know "the signs and symptoms of an overdose, how people might react and when you know when it's time to respond."
Warning signs include slowed or stopped breathing, snoring or gurgling sounds, pinpoint pupils, cold and clammy skin, extreme drowsiness, and unresponsiveness. Anyone who sees these signs should call 911, give naloxone if available, and stay with the person, because naloxone can wear off before some opioids do.
Mixing opioids with benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, raises the danger because both slow breathing. Naloxone reverses only the opioid, so emergency care is still essential even after a person wakes up.
Missouri's Good Samaritan law for overdose emergencies protects people who seek medical help for an overdose from prosecution for certain drug possession offenses. Fear of police involvement should not delay a 911 call.
Free Naloxone and Treatment Options
Naloxone, often sold as Narcan, reverses opioid overdoses and was approved for over-the-counter sale in 2023. St. Louis County offers free naloxone through county vending machines, county libraries, and mail delivery. Residents can also walk in to health department locations, with no appointment or ID required.
Families who have a loved one using drugs can keep naloxone at home and tell others where it is stored. Questions can be sent to the county's overdose program at [email protected].
Armbruster said open conversation helps. Talking about overdose "really reduces the stigma and helps us be prepared for when we might witness or see someone who is experiencing an overdose," she said.
Cunningham said the county's goal is practical, noting that drugs are present in the community. "People are going to get access to them. So how can we also save a life and make sure that people have access to life-saving tools?" she said.
For treatment, the federal SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 offers free, confidential referrals around the clock. People in crisis can call or text 988.
Key Questions Answered
What did St. Louis County announce? A public health alert after nearly 200 suspected nonfatal overdoses from late August through September.
Which drugs were involved? Mostly opioids, including fentanyl, along with benzodiazepines, marijuana, and prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
Who has been most affected? Mostly men ages 34 to 44, with a concentration in the 63136 ZIP code around Jennings and Castle Point.
Where can residents get naloxone? Free from county vending machines, libraries, and health department sites, or by mail.
What should someone do during an overdose? Call 911, give naloxone, and stay with the person until help arrives.
Can calling 911 lead to charges? Missouri's Good Samaritan law protects people who seek help for an overdose from certain drug possession charges.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
