Harm Reduction — NoMoDeaths

Local Drug Laws

Possession of Paraphernalia, including Syringes
Possession of drug-related objects, including syringes, is illegal and a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail.MO. ANN. STAT. § 579.074.

Possession of Marijuana
Possession of marijuana is illegal in Missouri.
Possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana is a Class D misdemeanor, punishable by a $500 fine. MO. ANN. STAT.§ 579.015(4). Possession of more than 10 grams to 35 grams is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $2,000 fine or both. MO. ANN. STAT. § 579.015(3),558.002. Possession of more than 35 grams of marijuana is a felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison. MO. ANN. STAT. §579.015 (2).

Missouri has a medical marijuana program for the following qualifying conditions: cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, intractable migraines, multiple schlerosis, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome or other medical condition that causes severe, persistent pain or muscle spasms, PTSD and other debilitating psychiatric disorder, HIV/AIDS, any terminal illness,any chronic, debilitating condition that would otherwise be treated with prescription medications (that could lead to physical or psychological dependence) and for which marijuana could be a safer alternative. V.A.M.S. Const. Art. 14, § 1

Possession of Other Controlled Substances
It is illegal for any person to purchase, possess (including“constructively” possessing), or have under his or her control any controlled substance (note: this means you could be charged with possession if controlled substances are in your car or in your hotel room even if they are not yours). Possession of any amount of a controlled substance listed in Schedule I or II (other than marijuana as specified above) is a felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. MO. ANN. STAT. § 579.015(2), 558.002.

Naloxone Possession and Administration
Anyone in Missouri can legally purchase and possess naloxone. A Statewide Standing Order, issued by Dr. Randall Williams, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services,allows pharmacists to dispense naloxone to anyone without a paper or electronic prescription. However, this does not necessarily mean that every pharmacy will stock naloxone so we suggest calling the local pharmacy to make sure they have it (requests can be made to have it stocked if they do not have any). A limited supply of naloxone is available for free through community-based organizations such as Missouri Network for Opiate Reform and Recovery located at 4022 S. Broadway, St. Louis (naloxone is available daily Monday-Friday 10-5 or Saturday and Sunday 12-6) and NCADA located at 9355 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis (call (314)962-3456 or send an e-mail request to info@ncada-stl.org). Mo. Ann. Stat. §§ 195.206; 338.205.

911 Good Samaritan
The law provides protection from arrest, charge, prosecution,conviction, property seizure or other penalties for anyone who seeks or obtains medical help for a person experiencing an alcohol or drug overdose or other medical emergency for the following conduct: possession of a controlled substance,possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of an imitation controlled substance, violating probation or parole, violating a restraining order, or sale or purchase of alcohol to/by a minor, or misrepresentation of age by a minor to obtain alcohol. Note: a person with an outstanding warrant is not protected under these circumstances. MO. ANN. STAT. § 195.205.

Text summarized by the Drug Policy Alliance: http://www.reformconference.org/local-drug-laws

hARM REDUCTION INITIATIVES

Opioid STR/SOR partners with several organizations in Missouri to expand access to overdose education and naloxone. These initiatives have targeted areas with the highest rates of drug use and are focused on getting resources into the hands of people who use drugs and their friends and family members.

Mo heroes project

With opioid overdose deaths increasing across the United States, there has been a strong push to create harm reduction programs that reduce fatal overdose events. To that end, the Mo’ Heroes project establishes overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs within criminal justice settings. Justice-involved individuals are at particularly high risk of experiencing an opioid overdose post-release. Furthermore, because individuals returning to their communities have a greater chance of witnessing an opioid overdose, the Mo’ Heroes project aims to empower people to save someone else’s life with naloxone.

For more information on the Mo’ Heroes project click here or reach out directly to our Overdose Prevention Coordinator.

Better Family Life builds strong families and vibrant communities by providing hope, comprehensive services, and meaningful opportunities. Their services and programs are open to all people, regardless of their ethnicity, aptitude, or beliefs. Annually, Better Family Life serves more than 50,000 unduplicated community members. Through the Missouri SOR grant, Better Family Life promotes and distributes naloxone in four targeted neighborhoods that have been identified as high-risk of drug use and opioid overdoses.

For more information about Better Family Life, click here.

The SOR grant’s faith-based initiative is conducted by Dr. Kanika Turner, Pastor Pamela Paul, and Peer Specialist Audrey Collins. As part of this initiative, they work with congregations and communities of faith in primarily Black neighborhoods in St. Louis to increase awareness about resources available for those with OUD. The faith-based initiative acknowledges our history of racial discrimination in our society’s approach to drug use and consequences, apologizes for our role in perpetuating disparities in access to effective and life-saving services for African Americans, and calls us to activate our collective resources, knowledge, and skills in now providing addiction care to those who have been left out in the past.

For more information about this initiative or schedule a training, click here or reach out directly to faithcommproject@gmail.com

The mission of Missouri Network for Opiate Reform and Recovery is to provide real solutions for those struggling with substance use disorder. As such, through Missouri’s SOR grant, they have expanded their services to the Mo’ Mobile (a retrofitted ambulance). The Mo’ Mobile travels the streets of St. Louis bringing resources, including the overdose-reversal drug naloxone, directly to active drug users. The Mo’ Mobile also provides testing for hepatitis C and HIV and connections to local treatment programs.

For more information about Missouri Network for Reform and Recovery, click here.

The T is a health education and resource center in the East Loop of Delmar Blvd in St. Louis, Missouri. They also operate a mobile outreach vehicle called “TWheels.” The T works to provide support for those impacted by trauma, whether it’s bullets, opiates, COVID, or homelessness. The T is funded as a Harm Reduction and Prevention Center through the State Opioid Response 2.0 grant, serving as a hub for healing and community to those most vulnerable to addiction, violence, and trauma in St. Louis. Follow them on Twitter at @TheT5874Delmar. To learn more, click here.