Missouri has been heavily affected by substance use. In 2022, 2,178 people in the state died from drug overdoses. Of those deaths, 72% involved opioids, and 67% specifically involved fentanyl. In the 2023 fiscal year, 3,518 drug offenders entered Missouri prisons, while 5,998 were placed on probation. According to SAMHSA surveys from 2021 and 2022, approximately 943,000 Missouri residents had a substance use disorder.
To address these challenges, Missouri has used State Opioid Response (SOR) grants to support primary prevention efforts for youth and young adults. These initiatives focus on increasing protective factors through educational programs, mentoring, and wraparound services.
The Missouri Center for Addiction Research and Engagement (MO-CARE) is a collaboration launched in 2019 to study and prevent addictive behaviors. MO-CARE connects researchers across the University of Missouri System to improve treatment access, provide training for future addiction-treatment professionals, and meet the needs of Missourians affected by addiction.
The Missouri Alliance of Collegiate Recovery Organizations (MACRO) supports students in recovery on college campuses statewide. Backed by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, MACRO provides resources, networking opportunities, and financial support to help schools establish and grow recovery programs.