Chad Sabora

In the first three quarters of 2021, there were 780 overdose deaths in the St. Louis region, about the same as during the same period in 2020, according to the Missouri Institute of Mental Health at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The St. Louis area accounted for nearly half of fatalities statewide.

Needle exchange programs could become easier to operate in Missouri under a bill pre-filed for the state’s 2017 legislative session.The programs make sure…