Articles & Education

Opioid Use Disorder Resources

Several Missouri initiatives expand access to integrated prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD).

The Missouri Opioid State Targeted Response and State Opioid Response (Opioid-STR and SOR) Projects, funded through SAMHSA, work with clinical providers and at-risk individuals to provide trainings on Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) practices, access to evidence-based treatment services and increased awareness and access to state-wide recovery support services.

The Missouri Opioid/Heroin Overdose Prevention and Education (MO-HOPE) Project, funded through SAMHSA, provides resources to reduce opioid overdose deaths in Missouri through expanded access to overdose education and naloxone, public awareness, assessment and referral to treatment. The project includes prevention, public health and harm reduction strategies to improve readiness to avoid or respond to opioid overdose events in Missouri.

The Missouri Overdose Rescue and Education (MORE) Project, funded through SAMHSA and the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, serves rural Missouri. The project provides naloxone to first responders and trains them to administer the nasal spray to reverse opioid overdoses.

The Drug Overdose Trust and Safety (DOTS) Project, funded through SAMHSA, seeks to reduce incidence of fatal opioid overdoses in Missouri through occupational safety training for professional first responders, naloxone distribution and facilitating cross-sector collaboration.

Resources

Engaging Patients in Care Coordination (EPICC) builds collaborative infrastructure to expedite access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and peer-based coordination of care from emergency departments to community-based settings for those who present with or are at high risk for an opioid-related overdose. Peer Recovery Coaches perform outreach 24/7 to accept referrals, enhance engagement and maintain contact to support access to services, foster recovery, and reduce overdose rates.

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) -Technical Assistance (TA) supports rural communities that have implemented or will implement programs to combat opioid use disorder (OUD). Missouri Rural Health Association’s (MRHA) TA service is comprised of the Missouri Hospital Association, Primary Care Association, Missouri Departm

ent of Mental Health, USDA, Missouri Institute of Mental Health, and MU Extension.

Opioid STR/SOR Recovery Community Centers (RCCs) provide a peer-based supportive community that builds hope and supports healthy behaviors for individuals with OUD searching for recovery or maintaining recovery.

Legislative Efforts

In support of statewide naloxone distribution efforts, the Missouri Legislature approved Good Samaritan protections for laypersons with high likelihood of responding to an opioid overdose (RSMO 195.205). This law, adopted in 2017, is designed to save lives by encouraging people to seek emergency medical help if they experience or witness an opioid overdose.

Senate Bill 718: (1) blocks inclusion of pain scores in quality of care and patient satisfaction data the Missouri Department of Insurance is authorized to collect (2) subject to appropriations, creates an opioid use treatment and prevention program involving advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants and assistant physicians, in collaboration with physicians

SB 826: (1) limits initial prescriptions of opioids to a duration of seven days, with specified exceptions (2) allows the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs to implement rules so drug disposal boxes may be placed in pharmacies for citizens to use (current Missouri biannual drug take-back events averaged nearly 40,000 pounds per event throughout the past two years) (3) allows pharmacies and other entities to establish drug take-back programs, making it easier for people to clean out medicine cabinets and prevent diversion

SB 951: (1) revises standards for the prescribing of buprenorphine as a medicine for treating OUD under collaborative practice arrangements (2) requires health insurers to offer their enrollees coverage of FDA-approved medicines for SUDs for an additional premium

House Bill 2280: authorizes as much as 12 additional months of Medicaid coverage of substance use and mental health treatment for post-partum women who receive substance use treatment within 60 days of giving birth and who adhere to the treatment program – the added coverage is contingent on federal approval

HB161: authorizes MO HealthNet (Medicaid) to reimburse providers for telemedicine at the same rates as in-person visits

HB1516: MO HealthNet will authorize as many as 20 visits for chiropractic care; this may reduce the number of opioid prescriptions being written to manage chronic pain, decreasing the incidence of SUD

SB660: psychiatric physician assistants, psychiatric advanced practice registered nurses and psychiatric assistant physicians are added to the definition of mental health professionals — increasing patient access to behavioral health care, including OUD