In recent years in Missouri, overdoses from substance abuse have skyrocketed, especially among African American men, with a 127% increase from 2021 to 2022.1 The Show-Me State has taken strides to improve its public health response, including providing a wide array of low and no cost addiction recovery programs for youth and adults. Descriptions of some of the most popular free addiction recovery resources in Missouri are provided below.
Drug Statistics in Missouri
Addiction Nonprofits in Missouri
Community Partnership–Prevention Resource Center
This organization provides education, training, and resources to local communities to reduce substance use. The center offers services to 21 counties to deter underage drinking, build teen resistance to drugs, support medication management programs, and promote healthy daily routines for adults and children.
BASIC
The Black Alcohol/Drug Service Information Center (BASIC) provides counseling, career coaching, life skills development, and social services programs to the Black community. The organization contextualizes substance and alcohol use disorder in its cultural context, addressing co-occurring behavioral and mental health disorders.
ACT Missouri
This organization is the Missouri chapter of the national Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. The center provides education resources for teenagers, parents, and community leaders to prevent drug and alcohol abuse. The center also provides support for teenagers and their families impacted by substance use disorder.
Harm Reduction Programs
No Mo Deaths
This organization advocates for wider availability of harm reduction approaches, such as a syringe exchange program. The organization provides resources, such as naloxone distribution information and training programs for wound care management and overdose response.
Mo Network
This center provides Narcan nasal spray and first aid kits to clients at no cost. The center also advocates for greater accessibility to harm reduction without legal penalties and social stigmas.
The T
This harm reduction center in St. Louis offers Narcan, opioid overdose literature, wound care training, first aid kits, and acupuncture and nutritional therapies. The center also offers a mobile unit and an outreach program.
Government Grants & Resources
Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet)
Missouri offers health insurance for low-income clients and their families, with specialized services available for seniors, children, and the disabled community. Their their online portal, clients can check their eligibility, coordinate their care programs, and select healthcare providers.
Missouri Veterans Commission
This government agency provides resources for veterans impacted by mental and behavioral health disorders, substance abuse, homelessness, and financial distress. Services include a crisis hotline and a directory, including the VA.
SMART
This government program is available to all Missouri workers who are involved in the sale of liquor, from restaurants to grocery stores. This free, interactive course enables clients to train on how to detect fake IDs, detect signs of intoxication, and how to prevent alcohol theft to reduce unlawful alcohol consumption throughout the state.
Never Use Alone Hotline
This government hotline is available to clients with substance use disorder and who live in an isolated environment. The hotline provides a telephone companion to make sure that the client is safe and can send for first responders in the case of overdose. The number is available 24/7.
Missouri Department of Mental Health
The department offers a directory of local and community coalitions centered on mental health disorders, including available contact information.
College Addiction Resources
Missouri Alliance of Collegiate Recovery Organizations (MACRO)
This state organization is a network of Missouri campuses to provide resources and support to students impacted by substance use disorder. Students can meet, discuss, and advocate for policies that strengthen collegiate and community resilience.
Harris-Stowe State University
This university offers information and resources for substance abuse and co-occurring mental and behavioral health disorders. Links include trauma care, eating disorders, grief, and depression. Specialized resources are available for Black men.
Missouri State University
The university outlines policies regarding alcohol consumption and substance use on campus. The site also details counseling, community, and self-help services available for students.
St. Louis Community College
The community college outlines the health and academic risks that students face for violating the college’s policies on alcohol and substance abuse. Students are referred to campus resources and outside treatment centers.
LGBTQ+ Resources
Kansas City Center for Inclusion
This organization provides support, mentorships, and community outreach programs for the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ - PFlag Greater St. Louis
This chapter of the PFlag network enables LGBTQ+ community members in St. Louis to receive support, education resources, opportunities to take part in community events, and advocacy.
LGBTQ+ – The Alliance of Southwest Missouri
This youth-centered movement provides assistance to children and their parents. Services include parenting classes, driving courses, support programs for fathers, and additional resources.
Promo
This statewide organization offers resources for the LGBTQ+ community. Services include a crisis/suicide hotline, stigma reduction strategies, resilience programs to combat conversion therapy, and guides for parents, families, and healthcare providers. Promo also advocates for greater access to legal and social programs.
Veterans Programs
Missouri Veterans
The state has outlined services and benefits for veterans and their families. The Veterans Commission offers opportunities for grants and funding, in addition to social and health services.
Veterans Homes Programs
Seven residential facilities are available for veterans and their spouses. Services include 24/7 supervision, physician and skilled nursing care, social services, rehabilitative care, and a pharmacy. Amenities include recreation and community events.
Missouri Veterans Endeavor
This organization battles homelessness among veterans. The group provides a social worker, case management, assistance in housing, transportation, counseling services, and child care. The center offers temporary housing, laundry, and a community garden.
St. Louis Veterans Home Assistance League
This non-profit organization provides medical services and residential housing for veterans. The center, currently under renovation, offers skilled nursing, activities and community events, recreation, and advocacy. A medical mobile van is also available.
Indigenous & Tribal Programs
Kansas City Indian Center–Resources
This block program offers funding to low-income Native Americans, food security, and social services.
Drug Laws in Missouri
Social Host Law
Chapter 311 establishes that adult hosts may be held liable for minors who consume alcohol on their property or are under their supervision. Retailers may also be liable for knowingly furnishing alcohol to minors.
Naloxone Standing Order
Section 195.206. RSMo authorizes licensed prescribers to provide naloxone to any individual who is at-risk from an opioid overdose, including family members and volunteers acting on the behalf of those individuals. A cost-free program is available for low-income individuals.
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Certification
This set of regulations detail the standards and expected levels of care for substance abuse programs. Facilities must abide by these standards to qualify for state certification.
Good Samaritan Law
Chapter 195.205 waives general prosecution against any person for possessing controlled substances if that person is acting in good faith to render aid to an individual experiencing a medical emergency.
Sources
- “Our Communities–Drug Overdose Fact Sheets by Geography,” Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
- “National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Model-Based Estimated Totals (2021-2022)”, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- “State Fact Sheets: Addressing Excessive Alcohol Use–Missouri,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- “Missouri Alcohol Abuse Statistics,” National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS)
- “Average Cost of Drug Rehab,” National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS)