Police address rumors about “new drug” found in Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – There have been reports of a possible new drug brought to Cape Girardeau.

Many businesses saying they must close their doors before dark for safety. But according to the Cape Girardeau Police Department (CGPD), those are just rumors.

“We haven’t seen that here. You know drugs are more prevalent with social media and media coverage,” explained Lt. Richard Schmidt with CFPD. “So maybe people are noticing the drug usage more now paying attention to people that are out in public more.”

Schmidt explains that the police department is unaware of any new drug found in Cape Girardeau, but drugs are still an issue.

Aug. 31 is National Overdose Awareness Day. Many gathered at the Cape Girardeau Courthouse Gazebo to honor loved ones who lost their lives to drug overdoses.

The campaign raises awareness of drug abuse, which is one of the leading causes of health crisis. In the United States alone, around 107,000 deaths occurred in 2021 and in Missouri, overdose is the leading cause of death among adults ages 18 to 44.

“I struggled with substance abuse disorder for the bulk of my adult life, and I entered recovery about eight years ago,” explained former addict and current Gibson Center for Behavioral Health Scott Moyers. “So, it is very personal to me. I do not think we should lose one person to overdose and so that is why we’re here.”

But the question remains: How can overdose be prevented?

Misty Brazel, with FCC Behavioral Health said, “The biggest thing to do is call for help. Look in the phone book, look online, call one of our two centers. Were always willing to bring people and to help them in a variety of ways.”

For more ways to recover, visit Gibson Center for Behavioral Health or FCC Behavioral Health.