The number of drug overdoses in Butler County nearly doubled in 2017 as compared to each of the three previous years.
2017 brought a "sharp incline" when 15 people died, said Butler County Coroner Andy Moore.
By comparison there were eight deaths in 2014, seven in 2015 and eight in 2016, Moore said.
"All these (ODs) we've been seeing in the last few years have been from opioids," Moore said.
The numbers reportedly may have been even higher had the antidote for opioid overdoses, Narcan, not been administered in time.
The "beauty" of Narcan is that it's a nasal spray and anyone can give it, said David Ross, paramedic/manager with Butler County EMS. "... Nasal Narcan is very easy to administer."
It's just a matter of putting the nozzle into a nostril and squeezing for absorption to occur, Ross said.
The reaction to Narcan, Ross said, is pretty immediate.
"It's not a slow progression back to a conscious mental state. They go from comatose to awake" in about 60 seconds or so, said Ross, who indicated subsequent medical treatment is advised.
According to Ross, there is "no down side; there is no danger" to the drug's use.
Giving Narcan to someone who doesn't need it has no effect on the person, he said.
"It's not something you have to worry about hurting people, so you can administer it without having to worry is this absolutely necessary; will this cause problems," Ross said. " ... You don't have to weigh the ... side effects before you give it to someone."
If an opioid overdose is suspected, "you can give (Narcan)," Ross said. "It will either reverse the effects and cause them to get better or nothing will happen."
Narcan, according to Ross, is a "very good medication" from that standpoint.
A lot of illnesses, Ross said, don't have an easy fix that is so immediate and so complete.
"Narcan is incredible in that respect," Ross said. "It does a very, very effective job of treating this person with little other intervention.
"Most people come back, and they are fine."
Ross wishes the drug wasn't needed, but "we're fortunate there is something that so effectively treats opioid overdoses."
Narcan, Ross said, also does not require a prescription.
"Anybody who wants it can purchase it in a drug store," Ross said. "If you go to a pharmacy and they don't have it, they can probably order it."
Ross knows there are drug stores in Poplar Bluff that do stock the drug.
"It doesn't have to be limited to people that expect themselves to need it," Ross said. "If you've got children (or) are involved with someone (or have) family members that you suspect may be using drugs ... ."
Although a person may not want to condone the behavior, "you also need to be able to help them," he said.
Dr. Chris Pinderski, the medical director of emergency services at Black River Medical Center, carries Narcan in his vehicle.
Although Pinderski described his children as "good kids," sometimes "good kids do bad things."
No one, according to Pinderski, is immune.
Opioid overdoses can occur at any socioeconomic level, he said.
"No one is immune to an opioid overdose; that is a fact of life," Pinderski said. "... It would be naive to think any family is immune. It's better to be prepared and think about it than be surprised later."
Pinderski likened Narcan to wearing a life jacket in a boat.
"You don't expect to have a need for it, but you have it on anyway," Pinderski said. "(Narcan) is in that same category as that."
While Pinderski doesn't think the average person needs to have Narcan on hand, "if their kids are known to have a problem, it would be wise to have it around.
"I don't think it will be needed for everyone to have around the house like a fire extinguisher."
Pinderski also urged caution to anyone who finds anything they suspect could be drug related, whether its a bag with a powder or an unidentified substance, or drug paraphernalia, such as pipes and syringes.
"I think the best course of action is not to touch it and call the police department," Pinderski said. "When it comes down to it, the police department would rather check out things than have someone exposed."