FERGUSON, Mo. — Families who have lost loved ones to the synthetic opioid Fentanyl learned about prevention in Ferguson on Thursday.
The Drug Enforcement Administration- St. Louis Division invited families to learn and share their own experiences at a summit at the St. Louis Community College Florissant-Valley campus.
Jill O’toole brought a portrait of her son Nick who died three years ago from an overdose.
“Every minute of every day. There's not a morning where I don't wake up and think 'why is Nick not here'”
Now O’toole volunteers with the organization that hands out Narcan in the community. This is O'toole's second time attending a family summit.
She told 5 On Your Side, "Nick died in our house with five doses of Narcan there but nobody present to administer it."
Narcan is a reversal drug that can help save a life during an overdose.
Nick had used Fentanyl for years, a drug prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain.
Most recent cases of overdoses are linked to illegally-made fentanyl that is passed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect.
The overall trend in drug overdose fatalities in St. Louis has increased over the past five years. According to the City of St. Louis Department of Health, overdose fatalities rose 30% from 375 in 2018 to 487 in 2022 with fentanyl responsible for most deaths followed by cocaine and then alcohol.
449 people died in drug-involved incidents in St. Louis County in 2022, an 11% decrease from 2021.
The Drug Enforcement Administration created this space to to create a dialogue to effect change through enforcement, awareness, and prevention education.
Deborah Bishop from St. Louis found her 50-year-old son dead in a car.
In previous overdose incidents, she noted he had been slapped with drug charges instead of helped.
“Get help for that person. Locking them up. Charging them for the drug charge, that doesn't help,” Bishop said.
More than 11,000 people died from a drug overdose in the 12-month period ending in May, according to the Center for Disease Control. There were only 2,700 people in the previous year.
"We're looking at the money launderers. The larger suppliers. Like I said. Those that are at the top of the chain. And even the weapons traffickers that are selling the weapons are in fact safeguarding these suppliers," said Sayler Fleming, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri
“It’s ok to have a problem. It's ok to reach out for help. There is help out there available for you,”
Those interested in information om how to get involved in future events please complete the Advocates for Change form and submit it to familyoutreach@dea.gov.
DEA has resources available to help parents and care givers talk to kids about the dangers of drug use. You can also visit the Get Smart About Drugs website. Likewise, DEA has resources for anyone who needs help with substance use or mental health disorders, please visit DEA’s Recovery Resources.