Missouri Highlands Health Care is using International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31 to help combat overdoses in Butler County and the neighboring regions.
As the U.S. struggles with a nationwide opioid epidemic that has affected communities in every region, Butler County has faced its own challenges in combating opioid misuse and overdose.
“Missouri Highlands is working to address the need for increased awareness, education and preventive measures in this region, where the numbers speak for themselves,” said Lisa Martin, Missouri Highlands Director for Medication Assisted Treatment.
Between 2020 and 2022, Butler County experienced 75 fatal opioid overdoses. This statistic illustrates the need for action to address opioid misuse throughout the region.
Missouri Highlands met last week at Three Rivers College to illustrate the impact of overdoses in Butler County with 75 candles illuminated in front of empty seats to represent those lost to overdose.
The health care agency is working to combat the opioid epidemic in communities across seven counties in Missouri, including Butler, Carter, Wayne, Iron, Reynolds, Shannon and Ripley. One of their services is medication-assisted treatment (MAT), a comprehensive approach that combines medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to address opioid addiction.
The goal of MAT is to serve individuals struggling with opioid use disorder to help regain control of their lives and overcome the grasp of addiction.
The MAT program works to combat opioids through collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals, law enforcement, community organizations, policymakers and the public.
“Missouri Highlands has led initiatives such as expanding access to naloxone, increasing public education about the risks of opioid use and improving access to addiction treatment services,” Martin said. “These have become critical components of the response.”
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. Butler County introduced the state’s first Narcan vending machine in 2022, an innovation that has contributed to a decrease in fatal opioid overdoses.
“The introduction of this vending machine underscores the county’s commitment to harm reduction and immediate access to this crucial medication, saving lives in critical moments of need,” Martin said.
Expanding on this approach, Missouri Highlands has installed three additional Narcan vending machines across different communities, and they are actively working on implementing a fifth machine.
“These machines act as vital resources that increase the accessibility of Narcan to individuals who might encounter an overdose situation, whether they are bystanders, friends, family members or first responders,” Martin said.
“By having more of these machines available in strategic locations, Missouri Highlands is making significant strides in tackling opioid overdoses at the community level.”
Missouri Highlands’ strategy of offering medication-assisted treatment, distribution of Narcan vending machines, and expanding these resources in multiple communities highlights the potential for progress in the battle against opioid overdose.
With each step, the partnership between healthcare providers, community organizations, and individuals helps reinforce the belief that recovery is possible and that no one needs to face the challenges of addiction alone.
“Ultimately, raising opioid overdose awareness is not just about acknowledging the problem; it’s about taking action,” Martin said.
“By working together to destigmatize addiction, improve access to treatment and promote safer pain management practices, communities in Butler County and beyond can strive to reverse the tragic trend of opioid overdoses, saving lives and fostering hope for a healthier future.”