Wednesday is Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. Overdose deaths from drugs overall have declined slightly for the 1st time in 5 years…3% nationwide according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention, and the MO Dept of Health and Senior Services is reporting that MO has seen a bigger decrease of 12% between 2022 and 2023.  The Univ. Of MO St.Louis’ Institute of Mental Health Addiction Science Team says that in the STL area, black residents account for more than half of overdose deaths, and they say synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, are driving the epidemic. The University’s research shows that last year from January to June in MO, 1,015 people lost their lives from drug overdoses, with 7% of those involving fentanyl. A list of organizations in STL that help residents deal with substance abuse can be found on the city’s website. Steve Potter, KTRS News.