Report: Opioid deaths increase slowly in Missouri

COLUMBIA, MB (AP) – While deaths related to Opioids continue to increase in Missouri, the growth rate is slowing down, according to a new report.

The Missouri Department of Health and Seniors' Services found that there was a 4.7 percent increase in opioid deaths from 2016 to 2017, reported Missourian Columbia. This rate is well below the 35% peak observed between 2015 and 2016.

"The opioid crisis is the number 1 public health problem facing Missouri," said Randall Williams, director of the Department of Health and seniors' services in Missouri. , in the version. Despite signs of improvement, even a death is too much, he says.

The release of the department said about 950 people died of opioid use last year.

"We must continue our efforts to find innovative solutions to abuse," Governor Mike Parson said in the statement. "We remain committed to fighting this drug epidemic and will work to help all families and individuals across Missouri."

State officials focus on preventive care and legislative action. The State Department of Health is reviewing data on how medications are prescribed and dispensed to ensure that there are no medical conditions. Inappropriate activity. The authorities hope this measure will reduce the number of people who become opioid dependent, the statement said.

Columbia launched a prescription drug monitoring program last year in response to the opioid crisis and public concerns. Pharmacists follow the information on the medications that they prescribe to patients, allowing doctors to track the history of a patient's prescriptions.

___

Information from: Columbia Missourian, http://www.columbiamissourian.com