Christine Smith, director of prevention and crisis services at the Missouri Department of Mental Health, is leading efforts to make Naloxone — overdose-reversal medication — widely available throughout the state to prevent fatal overdoses. Sometimes known as the “Naloxone Queen” by her peers because of her focus on the medication, Smith helps coordinate DMH’s efforts to ensure Naloxone is easily accessed in communities.
Naloxone Distribution
The department is trying to ensure the state is “saturated” with Naloxone so if people need it, it can be easily accessed. For the past few years, the state has seen a drastic decline in overdose deaths. People seeking information about where to find Naloxone in their communities can consult an interactive map at getmissourinaloxone.com/pick-up-today.
Broader Prevention and Crisis Work
Smith works in primary prevention, which includes substance use prevention. Her department collaborates with about 10 contracted prevention resource centers and about 150 community coalitions across the state working on substance use prevention. The goal is to reduce harmful effects and ensure healthy communities while reducing the onset of substance use issues. The department also works with healthcare systems and provider agencies to prevent suicides, operating under a Zero Suicide Grant and implementing the Zero Suicide Model across multiple health systems. This includes improved care coordination in emergency departments and hospitals, strengthening the state’s crisis hotline system and expanding suicide prevention training.
Current Concerns
One of the things that concerns Smith is tight budget years where funding support gets cut or reduced. Currently, there are ongoing budget discussions in the Missouri legislature about funding for Naloxone distribution. Smith emphasized the importance of ensuring continued funding support to maintain the programs and foundations already established.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.newstribune.com/news/2026/apr/26/snapshot-dmh-leader-focuses-on-overdose/