Report: Opioid deaths increasing slowly in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — While opioid related deaths continue to increase in Missouri, the growth rate is slowing down, according to a new report.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services found that there was a 4.7 percent increase in opioid deaths from 2016 to 2017, the Columbia Missourian reported. That rate is much lower than the 35 percent spike seen from 2015 to 2016.

"The opioid crisis is the No. 1 public health issue Missouri is facing," said Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, in the release. Despite signs of improvements, even one death is too many, he said.

The department's release said about 950 people died from opioid use last year.