The Midwest High Intensity Drug Threat Area assessed methamphetamine as the Kansas City region’s greatest drug threat in 2021 when considering its nexus to violence and other criminal activity. Heroin/synthetic opioids rank as the second greatest threat, with opioid overdoses skyrocketing in both Kansas and Missouri. These prevalent synthetic drugs are flooding into the Kansas City metro area, creating an overdose crisis of stunning proportions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 600 overdose deaths in the state of Kansas were reported in the year prior to September 2021, an increase of 48.7%. Missouri’s overdose deaths topped 2,000, an increase of nearly 12%. In addition, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services indicates that the Kansas City Metro Region had a 40% increase in total drug overdose deaths in the first half of 2021 for the state of Missouri. Opioid-involved drug overdose deaths – 73% of the total drug overdose deaths– represent the majority of deaths in Missouri, while overdose deaths involving stimulants increased by approximately 21% statewide in the first half of 2021. The CDC estimated overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) rose 25.8% and appear to be the primary driver of the increase in total drug overdose deaths nationwide.
Johnson County Mental Health: provides resources and treatment options for those seeking assistance with substance misuse and counseling. 24/7 Crisis Hotline is 913-268-0156
Tri-County Mental Health Services: gives mental health and substance misuse resources and treatment options for those in Clay, Platte, and Ray County.
First Call: First Call provides help for individuals and families impacted by addiction and alcohol abuse. 24/7 Crisis Hotline 816-361-5900
FindTreatment.gov to search for general drug treatment facilities in your area. On this site, you can find facilities that offer various payment options (including free and no-cost care), youth treatment facilities, special programs for Veterans, plus more.
Otherwise, enter your zip code below to find substance abuse treatment facilities in your area.
Prevention Resources
One Pill Can Kill: DEA-led campaign that provides awareness of the increasing fentanyl related overdose deaths we are seeing nationwide. Fentanyl and opioids are affecting local youth. One Pill Can Kill website can provide facts for families wanting to learn more about the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl.
DCCCA: Developing Caring Communities Committed to Action (DCCCA) provides social and community services that improve the safety, health, and well-being of those we serve. Through Behavioral Health, Prevention, Traffic Safety, Family Preservation, Foster Care, Quality Improvement, and other programs, DCCCA continues to honor its commitment to the community by providing valuable human services that help enrich and improve the quality of life for both adults and children.
Parent UP KC: Parent UP KC is local resource that gives parents information about drugs use among youth. It has great tools for parents and talking points for when you are ready to talk to kids about drugs.
Get Smart About Drugs: This is a resource for parents, educators and caregivers. This website also provides a range of DEA publications, available in both English and Spanish.
SAMHSA: “Talk. They Hear You.” is a free mobile app that helps you prepare for one of the most important conversations you may ever have with your children about underage drinking and drug use. The app provides parents and caregivers of children and teens ages 9 to 15 with the tools and information they need to start talking with their children early about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.
For more info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL2XMiOO0Fg
Hidden in Plain View: Visit this interactive, virtual bedroom. Can you see the signs of drug use? http://hipv.addictionisreal.org/ Addiction is Real offers a parent toolkit for how to start a conversation about substance use with your children.
Dead on Arrival: Counterfeit pills with fentanyl are deadly. This film by VOID (Victims of Illicit Drugs) is an eye-opening story from the families who have lost a loved one. There versions in both English and Spanish.
Operation Prevention: The DEA and Discovery Education have created Operation Prevention to provide communities with proactive digital tools to raise awareness about the dangers of substance misuse. This resource is free and is available in English and Spanish for students in grades 3-12, plus additional resources designed for educators, families, and professionals.
Campus Drug Prevention: The DEA provides institutions of higher education and their communities with this resource to prevent drug misuse among college students.
Cooper Davis Memorial Foundation: ("Keepin' Clean for Coop): Keepin’ Clean For Coop shares the story of one teen from Shawnee, Kansas who took half of a fake pill laced with fentanyl and didn’t make it. The website also shares fentanyl related resources and updates on events occurring in the Kanas City Metro region.
Just Think Twice: Looking for prevention resources specifically for young people? Go to the teen-focused site Just Think Twice. Here, youth will be able to get facts about drug use and learn ways to live a drug-free life.
NIDA for Teens: This website provides helpful drug facts as well as games and activities teens can do to learn more about the dangers of drugs.
Opioid Basics: Center for Disease Control offers more information about opioids and the different types there are out there that can cause harm and addiction.
Events
Date: February 2, 2023
Time: 9:30AM
Where: Sunflower Foundation, 5820 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66606
Join DEA & Prevention and Resiliency Services in Topeka, Kansas at 9:30am for a discussion on the current fentanyl crisis. Register on the QR code or by clicking HERE to get more information.
Date: February 24, 2023
Time: 8:30AM -- 2:30PM
Where: Platte Woods United Methodist Church, 7310 NW Prairie Road, Platte Woods, MO 64151
Register now for the 2023 Northland Prevention Conference -- "Shaping the Future" -- if you are interested in learning how you can protect youth by enhancing prevention efforts. Attendees will hear from the Northland Coalition president, witness the presentation of prevention awards, learn from Aubree Adams and Erik Erazo on how to make an impact in their communities, participate in breakout sessions on relevant topics, and hear from mental health advocate and podcast host Latrese Kabuya. Tickets are $25 and include continental breakfast and lunch.
Date: February 28, 2023
Time: 6:30PM -- 8:30PM
Where: Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., Lawrence, KS 66044
Hear from Libby Davis, the mom of Cooper, a 16-year-old who died from fentanyl poisoning in 2021. She and her family founded the cooper Davis Memorial Foundation, or "Keepin' Clean for Coop", a nonprofit focusing on spreading awareness about the threat of fentanyl and fake pills. To register, scan the QR code above or visit Drugs in the Age of Fentanyl - dccca.org.
Date: March 20-26, 2023
Where: Nationwide
March 20-26th is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, which allows community members to connect to youth to provide resources for positive mental health, as well as facts about drugs, alcohol, and related health topics. Anyone can join. All you have to do is plan your event to bring together educators, healthcare providers, and community partners to address youth drug and alcohol use in communities. Learn more about National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week HERE!
Date: April 22, 2023
Where: Nationwide
Take Back Day is coming up. If you have unused prescription drugs that need to be disposed, take them to your local law enforcement agency on April 22nd to be disposed of safely.
Sign up for email updates about Kansas City's Operation Engage Initiative.
Stay up to date with the Operation Engage initiative in Kansas City by following the DEA St. Louis Twitter account @DEAKansasCity and the hashtag: #OpEngageKC
