The number of overdose deaths in Mississippi nearly doubled between 2019 and 2021, according to the state Department of Health. The sharp increase was largely attributable to increases in the use of synthetic opioids laced with fentanyl.
Wendy Bailey, executive director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health says it's important that people think about substance abuse in a constructive way to reduce stigma.
Addiction is not a moral failing,” Bailey said. “It is a complex and treatable disease that has uprooted the lives of people from all races, ages and socio economic backgrounds.… Focusing on the fact that addiction is a disease, treatment is possible and looking at harm reduction is going to save lives in our state.”
The state has implemented several harm reduction strategies in recent years to reduce overdose deaths. Anyone in the state can request naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug, from the health department and have it mailed to them. Last year, state lawmakers legalized the possession of fentanyl test strips because of their potential to decrease accidental overdose deaths.
Bailey's department has distributed more than 6,500 doses of naloxone to first responders and law enforcement agencies over the past year. She says focusing on overdose prevention and education strategies like these is the best way to save lives.
“Making sure that naloxone is available and in the hands of every Mississippian who needs it is key and important here, because we know it is proven to reverse an overdose if used timely and in the correct manner,” Bailey said.
Last week, Governor Tate Reeves signed a proclamation declaring August 31st as "Overdose Awareness Day" in Mississippi. In the proclamation, Reeves wrote: "We must encourage relatives and friends of people with substance abuse disorders to implement preventative measures, recognize the signs of a problem, and encourage those in need of help to seek appropriate treatment and recovery support services.”
Around 400 Mississippians died from drug overdoses in 2023.
