Syringe services ease the impact of drug abuse in MO | News

(KMAland) – Between 2016 and 2023, more than 14,000 Missouri residents will die from a drug overdose, making drug use the leading cause of death for adults ages 18 to 44 in the state.

Many drug prevention organizations in Missouri agree Syringe service programs Reduce the devastating impact of abuse on the community by providing drug users with clean and sterile needles in exchange for used ones.

Marietta Hagan, project coordinator for the substance abuse initiative at CoxHealth, has worked in substance abuse prevention for eight years, primarily in Stone and Taney counties. She is a strong advocate for needle programs in Missouri and spoke about the obstacles organizations like hers face.

“Syringe access programs are not allowed because Missouri's drug paraphernalia laws include sterile syringes as drug paraphernalia,” Hagan explained. “Organizations are not allowed to provide them to people, and people who use drugs are not allowed to carry them.”

Studies have shown that the programs can reduce the incidence of hepatitis C and HIV infections among participants by up to 50%.

Research has also shown that syringe programs make economic sense, saving over $75 million in HIV treatment costs for an annual investment of just $10 million. Hagan noted that the programs not only provide sterile syringes, but also offer important resources, including information on safe drug use and connections to treatment services for people who need help.

“Global research studies have found that people who use needle access programs are five times more likely to enter treatment and three times more likely to quit drug use altogether,” Hagan reported.

A legislative task force meets once a month at the Missouri State Capitol to discuss ways to curb drug abuse in the state.