Power4STL

Amount Appropriated?

$3.0M

FFID tracks stages 1–2 — stages 3–5 vary by agency, assistance type, and earmark structure.

Project Description

In the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it is estimated that over 100,000 people died from drug overdose with skyrocketing deaths related to Fentanyl injection in the year 2021. Mental health, substance use, violence as well as access to care have been identified as top concerns in the health of the St. Louis region as well, all which place individuals at risk for overdose related deaths. Deep distrust of healthcare settings among people who use drugs is also a barrier to care. Fearful of mistreatment and dismissive care, many seek to manage their pain, withdrawal symptoms, mental illness, and deep poverty through ongoing drug use rather than the medical respite they so desperately need. In fact, acute medical instability due to an associated illness or even temporary lack of housing can lead to an untimely death. Recognizing that one of the most vulnerable times for overdose occur after detoxification and recovery, it is the very lack of ongoing wrap around and holistic harm reduction that places individuals at higher risk of death, even after having \u201csuccessfully\u201d engaged in short term treatment. \nThus, healthcare systems fail patients with violence and pain related harm resulting in substance use disorder, with fatal gaps in care resulting in high rates of overdose deaths, disproportionately experienced by Black people. St. Louis witnessed over 780 overdose deaths in the first three quarters of 2021, representing over half of all overdose deaths overall and 78% of overdoses in Black people occurring in the entire state of Missouri. The T\u2019s comprehensive harm reduction center stands to prevent, treat, and heal the trauma which is driving drug use and overdose deaths in vulnerable communities and stands to advance health equity in the region by addressing the devastating injustice.