Drug Free Ozarks

11/15/2025

Free training opportunity from the Missouri Prevention Resource Center Network!!

Register at: https://umsl.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a8yCv8SpRswCxRs

11/03/2025

Missouri DHSS issues Health Advisory on 7-OH
Potent opioid-like substance poses public health risk

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has issued a statewide health advisory warning Missourians about the serious health risks associated with 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a potent psychoactive compound increasingly found in unregulated consumer products.
7-OH, a synthetic derivative of the kratom plant, is being sold in Missouri in forms such as gummies, candies, powders and liquid shots—often in stores and online. While kratom itself is a natural botanical, isolated 7-OH is far more potent—up to 13 times stronger than morphine at opioid receptors—and has not been tested for safety in humans.

“Products containing 7-OH are being marketed as natural remedies, but they carry serious risks including addiction, overdose and even death,” said Dr. Heidi Miller, Chief Medical Officer at DHSS. “We are seeing a rise in emergency room visits and poison control calls related to these products.”
From January through September 2025, the Missouri Poison Center received 47 reports of exposures involving kratom or 7-OH—nearly double the number from 2024. Three of those cases involved isolated 7-OH, with at least one requiring hospital evaluation.

Symptoms of 7-OH exposure may include:
• Nausea, vomiting and gastrointestinal distress.
• Anxiety, agitation, confusion and insomnia.
• Rapid heart rate, high blood pressure and trouble breathing.
• Seizures, unconsciousness and withdrawal symptoms.
• Risk of overdose, especially when combined with alcohol or other sedatives.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced steps to restrict access to 7-OH products due to their opioid-like effects and lack of approved medical use.

DHSS urges Missourians to avoid products containing 7-OH until further safety data is available. Anyone experiencing symptoms or suspecting an overdose should call 911 and administer naloxone if available.

For more information, visit Health.Mo.Gov/Kratom or contact the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

10/31/2025

Join us, as partners in prevention year-round ― and for next October!

Visit: www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/prevention/campaigns-events

10/31/2025

“I didn’t know that everyone has risk factors that affect drug use. Now that I do, I’m really trying to incorporate that into my life to keep me on pace and stay away from drugs and drug use.”

10/30/2025

🌟 Thank You, Hurley School District! 🌟

A huge thank-you to Mr. Slater with the the Hurley School District for hosting Red Ribbon Week and inviting us to share an important presentation on opioid overdose awareness and naloxone administration.

Your commitment to educating students, staff, and the community about prevention and response truly makes a difference. Together, we’re reducing stigma, empowering others with knowledge, and saving lives. 💪❤️

10/29/2025

Substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life. Prevention can stop problems before they start.

Find help: samhsa.gov/find-help

10/27/2025

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has released a Health Advisory for 7-OH.

Learn more at:

10.27.25 DHSS HAD Health Risk Associated with 7-OH Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services sent this bulletin at 10/27/2025 10:29 AM CDT Health Advisory October 27, 2025 Health Risks Associated with 7-OH Summary The recent increased availability and use of 7- hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) pose...

10/27/2025

Join us, during (October) and year-round, as partners in prevention!

Visit: www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/prevention/campaigns-events

10/27/2025

https://www.legends1063.fm/news/local-news/drug-take-back-day-saturday/

The second of two Drug Take Back Days occurred across the nation on Saturday.

10/27/2025

If you missed the DEA National Rx Take Back Day, you can still take advantage of year-round drop-off locations.

Clean out your medicine cabinets and help prevent misuse before it starts.

You can drop off your old, unneeded, or expired medications at one of the more than 16,500 pharmacies and hospitals, working to help clean out medicine cabinets throughout the year. In addition, many police departments provide year-round drop boxes.

Find a location near you: https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e2s1

10/25/2025

DEA National RX Take Back day is today! We are at three locations: Lakeland Pharmacy in Branson, and Walgreens Pharmacy in Branson and Hollister. Here till 2pm!!

Thank you to the Branson Police Department and the Hollister Police Department for partnering with us!

Thank you to Josh Grisham with 106.3 KRZK for helping to educate the Ozarks on the importance of safe medication storage and disposal with a two-hour live radio broadcast!!

10/25/2025

It's time to take action! Protect your family, your community, and the environment by safely disposing of your unused and expired prescription medications, pet medications, and over-the-counter medications. (Accepting pills, patches, lotions, and liquids, but not needles or inhalers)

collection sites are now ready to receive your expired or unneeded medications. Let's work together to ensure the safety of our communities by responsibly disposing of expired and unused meds.

• 10am to 2pm - Walgreens Pharmacy – 210 State Highway 165, Branson
• 10am to 2pm - Lakeland Pharmacy - 1232 Branson Hills Pkwy, Branson
• 10am to 2pm - Walgreens Pharmacy – 101 Industrial Park Drive, Hollister