Quick answer
Missouri's fentanyl-involved overdose deaths fell 39% in 2024, but fentanyl still drives the state's opioid toll. Medication for opioid use disorder is the standard of care and MO HealthNet covers it. Ozark Center's New Directions in Joplin offers detox, residential care, and walk-in assessments. Here is how to start.
Fentanyl is the reason a pill or a bag bought around Joplin is far more dangerous than it used to be, and it is also the reason treatment has changed: medication works, and it is available here. Missouri's overdose deaths fell sharply in 2024, which is what happens when treatment and naloxone reach people. If fentanyl is part of your life, the path forward starts with one call.
What Missouri's numbers show
Missouri's 2024 statewide overdose report found:
- 1,450 drug overdose deaths statewide, down 26% from 1,948 in 2023 — the second straight year of decline
- Opioid-involved deaths made up 63% of the total, down from 73% in 2023
- Fentanyl-involved deaths fell 39% from 2023
Even with the improvement, opioid-involved overdose remains the leading cause of overdose death in Missouri, and fentanyl is the drug most often present in those deaths.
Medication is the standard of care
The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes medication for opioid use disorder as the standard of care and reports that people treated with methadone or buprenorphine are less likely to die or overdose than people who go without.
- Buprenorphine — a daily tablet or film, prescribable in a clinic or doctor's office.
- Methadone — dispensed daily at a certified opioid treatment program.
- Naltrexone — blocks opioid receptors, but only after full detox.
Medication works best alongside counseling, and it can continue safely through pregnancy under medical care. Ask a clinician which option fits.
Where to get care in Joplin
Ozark Center, part of Freeman Health, runs the region's substance use treatment through its New Directions program. In Joplin it offers:
- Outpatient and assessment — 3220 Wisconsin Ave; walk-in assessments 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, 417-347-7730
- Inpatient and detoxification — 3010 McClelland Blvd, for people who need 24-hour nursing observation during withdrawal, 417-347-7700
- Residential treatment — 3010 McClelland Blvd
- Medication for opioid use disorder — New Directions prescribes buprenorphine (Suboxone/Subutex) and provides just-in-time scheduling so current clients can see a counselor within 36 hours
Ozark Center's crisis services are available 24 hours a day at 417-347-7720 (toll-free 800-247-0661).
Naloxone and harm reduction
Fentanyl is lethal in tiny amounts and is often pressed into counterfeit pills, so everyone using opioids should carry naloxone and the people around them should know how to use it.
- Missouri has a statewide naloxone standing order, so pharmacists can dispense naloxone without a separate prescription — and it is available over the counter as well.
- Free mail-order or pickup naloxone can be found through GetMissouriNaloxone.com.
Naloxone cannot hurt someone who is not overdosing. If you are unsure, give it and call 911.
Paying for treatment
MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) covers medically necessary substance use disorder treatment for eligible members, including withdrawal management and medications for opioid use disorder. Many members enroll through managed care plans such as Healthy Blue, Home State Health, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Confirm network and prior authorization with your plan when you call.
How to start today
- If someone is unresponsive or breathing slowly, call 911 and give naloxone if you have it. For a crisis, call or text 988.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 to talk through options with a treatment specialist — free and without obligation:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers.
- Call New Directions at 417-347-7730, or walk in to 3220 Wisconsin Ave for an assessment between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on a weekday.
- Ask about starting buprenorphine this week — same-day or next-day induction is possible at many programs now.
Fentanyl use disorder is treatable, and Joplin has providers ready to start. The first call is the hardest part.
Emergency and crisis lines
Call 911 first if someone is unresponsive, breathing slowly, or turning blue. For a mental health or substance use crisis that is not a medical emergency, call or text 988, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
This page is general health information, not medical advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any facility named above.
Last updated: Mon Oct 19 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Frequently asked questions
How bad is fentanyl in Missouri?
Missouri counted 1,450 drug overdose deaths in 2024, down 26% from 1,948 in 2023, and fentanyl-involved deaths fell 39%. Opioid-involved deaths still made up 63% of the total, and fentanyl remains the drug most often present in them.
What medications treat opioid use disorder?
The FDA has approved methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone for opioid use disorder. Per NIDA, people treated with methadone or buprenorphine are less likely to die or overdose than people who get no medication, and medication works best alongside counseling.
Where can I get treatment in Joplin?
Ozark Center's New Directions program, part of Freeman Health, offers substance use assessment, detox, inpatient, residential, and outpatient treatment. Its outpatient office is at 3220 Wisconsin Ave with walk-in assessments 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and its inpatient and detox unit is at 3010 McClelland Blvd.
Who do I call in a crisis in Joplin?
If someone is unresponsive or breathing slowly, call 911 and give naloxone if you have it. For a mental health or substance use crisis that is not a medical emergency, call or text 988, or call Ozark Center's 24-hour crisis line at 417-347-7720 (toll-free 800-247-0661).
Where can I get naloxone near Joplin?
Missouri has a statewide naloxone standing order, so pharmacists can dispense naloxone without a separate prescription, and naloxone is available over the counter. Free mail-order or pickup naloxone can be found through GetMissouriNaloxone.com.