St. Louis County Urges Residents to Carry More Naloxone as Carfentanil Deaths Rise
County health officials say seven people have died from carfentanil this year, up from one in 2024, and are expanding access to the overdose reversal drug.
By Fatima Zayed ·
St. Louis County health officials are asking residents to keep more naloxone on hand as deaths linked to a super-potent synthetic opioid become more frequent in the region.
Overall opioid-related deaths in the county have fallen since 2022. Even so, officials are worried about the local appearance of carfentanil, a lab-made drug similar to fentanyl. Health Director Kanika Cunningham said seven people in the county have died after taking it this year, compared with one in 2024.
"We've never seen that many overdoses due to carfentanil," Cunningham said. "Across the nation we're seeing increases, and it's unfortunately making its way into the illicit drug supply."
Carfentanil is stronger and more dangerous than fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, and it is sometimes used to tranquilize large animals. Because it is an opioid, naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, can still revive someone who has overdosed on it. However, it may take several doses to work.
Cunningham said people are being told that three or four doses may be needed, where one or two once sufficed. She encouraged residents to carry not just one box of naloxone but at least three or four.
She noted that people who buy street drugs often do not know what they are taking, which raises the risks. "It can be cocaine and fentanyl. It can be carfentanil and meth," she said. According to Cunningham, a person who uses drugs often does not learn what was in them until something unexpected happens.
The health department has been placing naloxone distribution boxes around the county, aiming to install more than 40 in high-traffic areas and in places where drug use is more common.
County Executive Sam Page said fentanyl was a game-changer that drove the first spike in overdose deaths. "Now, we have a drug that is 100 times more powerful. We need to get ready for it," he said.
On Tuesday, the county announced it is installing a touchscreen naloxone "vending machine" in the lobby of the St. Louis County government headquarters in downtown Clayton.
The county is also promoting an alert system that notifies law enforcement, first responders, grassroots groups and residents when four or more overdoses occur in close proximity.
Originally published by News Media House · Source: St. Louis Public Radio
