A 2018 data dive into Christian Hospital ambulance calls in North St. Louis County reveals a growing prevalence of heroin and opioid overdose in the area, and a public meeting on Friday, February 1 will give concerned citizens an opportunity to learn about opioid addiction and options available to treat it.
According to Brian Hokamp, Christian Hospital chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), “On average Christian Hospital EMS responds to one to two 911 requests a day where Naloxone is administered,” said. Naloxone is the lifesaving medication that, if given in time, can counteract an overdose and revive the patient.
The Christian Hospital Foundation is asking community leaders, school administrators, elected officials, first responders, clergy and concerned citizens to learn about heroin and opioid abuse and overdose in North County, by coming to the public meeting 7:30-9 a.m. Friday, February 1 in the hospital’s Detrick Building Atrium. Breakfast will be served. Christian Hospital is located at 11133 Dunn Rd.
“We are trying to bring awareness to the situation,” said Necole Powell, executive director of the Christian Hospital Foundation, “because if people think it’s only in rural areas, it will spiral out of control.”
In addition to finding out about the latest drugs that are impacting the community, attendees will experience a simulated 911 overdose call; first responders will demonstrate lifesaving techniques used to treat overdose patients; and attendees will learn about collaborative efforts to combat this health issue.
“We’re putting together a bit of a task force to address this growing issue in our community,” Powell said. “We have programs we want to put into school districts, and we are working with school officials and some other community leaders to help people.”
Hokamp said Christian Hospital’s EMS department is fighting the opioid crisis using a three-pronged approach. “First, we want to provide education about the opioid crisis to our community,” Hokamp said. “Second, we want to try and prevent future overdoses. Third, we want to provide follow-up care and treatment by partnering with the Environment, Policy, and Improved Clinical Care Program, known as EPICC, and the Christian Hospital Access Program (CHAP).”
Anyone who thinks this crisis is not their problem is mistaken,” Hokcamp said.
“What we have found at Christian EMS,” Hokcamp said, “is that the opioid crisis affects all walks of life and does not discriminate based on gender, race, religion or age.”
To register for the meeting or for more information, contact Kamille Pope at 314-653-4191 or email Kamille.Pope@bjc.org.
EMS data by zip code provided to The American by Christian Hospital reflect field responses and do not include opioid overdoses that came directly into the hospital’s emergency department, nor through other ambulance services or facilities in North County. The largest number of opioid overdoses Christian’s EMS responded to last year was in its own backyard – in zip code 63136, where there were 207 calls.
ZIP CODE CALLS MUNICIPALITIES
63136 207 Dellwood, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Jennings, Flordell Hills, Northwoods, Castle Point, Country Club Hills, Moline Acres, Pine Lawn, Ferguson, St. Louis
63137 81 St. Louis, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Glasgow Village, Riverview, St. Louis County
63135 68 Ferguson, Hazelwood, Calverton Park, Jennings, Dellwood, Normandy
63138 65 Spanish Lake
63134 54 Ferguson, Berkeley, Woodson Terrace, Edmundson, Bel-Ridge, Kinloch,
Cool Valley, St. John
63133 48 Pagedale, Bel-Nor, Hanley Hills, Wellston, Hillsdale, Greendale, Vinita Park
63033 30 Black Jack and Florissant
63034 20 Old Jamestown area of unincorporated St. Louis County
63114 8 St. John, Overland, Breckenridge Hills, Charlack, Vinita Park
63031 7 Florissant, Hazelwood
63121 6 Berkeley, Pine Lawn, Velda City, Norwood court, Bel Ridge, Cool Valley, Jennings, Velda Village Hills, Pasadena Hills, Bel-Nor, Normandy, Northwoods, Pasadena Park, Hillsdale, Glen Echo Park, Beverly Hills, Greendale, Uplands Park, Carsonville, Bellerive
63386 5 West Alton
63042 3 Hazelwood, Bridgeton
63130 3 University City
63112 2 St. Louis
63140 2 Kinloch
Additionally in 2018, there was one call that Christian EMS responded to in each of the following zip codes: 63102 (St. Louis), 63122 (Kirkwood, Glendale, Des Peres, Meacham Park) and 63366 (O’Fallon, Wentzville, St. Paul).
