Key Points
- Kansas City creates an overdose review board, hires investigators and mandates reporting of overdoses.
- Public education campaign on fentanyl planned, including teaching about naloxone.
- Overdose deaths surpass homicide numbers in Kansas City, with a 1,000% increase since 2017.
After 850 area deaths since 2018, Kansas City is taking steps to address the rising fentanyl crisis by creating an overdose review board, embarking on an education campaign, and hiring two “overdose investigators” within the health department.
Mayor Quinton Lucas proposed a new ordinance, unanimously approved by the city council, authorizing the overdose investigators and mandating the reporting of overdoses within one calendar day.
The ordinance also establishes an overdose fatality review board aimed at swiftly analyzing real-time data to comprehend the impact of fentanyl in the community.
“Overdose deaths are epidemic level in Kansas City, and fentanyl is driving it,” said Lucas. “Kansas City is committed to making sure that we prevent a growing crisis; that we don’t see these types of astonishing numbers on into the future, and more than anything, that we listen to the experts who can help make a difference in this.”
Dr. Alex Francisco, the KC Health Dept.’s chief science officer, said that the overdose investigators, the review board, and real-time data reporting will allow for targeted interventions and relationship-building to curb fentanyl deaths.
“This will position us in an ideal situation to reduce the harm that this epidemic is causing throughout the community,” said Francisco.
Before the ordinance, the health department was dealing with overdose data that was, in some cases, two years old. Francisco says they plan to use the information to “be there” when the addicted are ready to receive treatment and end their substance abuse.
Lucas also unveiled plans for a public education campaign on fentanyl.
This includes teaching people about naloxone, also known as Narcan, a medication that can reverse the effects of fentanyl overdoses. Additionally, he expressed intentions to hold a fentanyl summit by year-end, bringing together key stakeholders like the police, health department, and community partners to address the fentanyl crisis.
The urgency for these measures stems from the alarming overdose statistics. Lucas highlighted that overdose deaths, particularly driven by fentanyl, have reached epidemic levels in Kansas City.
In 2021, overdose deaths surpassed homicide numbers, and in 2022, there was reportedly only one day without a suspected overdose in city emergency rooms.
The impact of fentanyl is widespread, affecting people from various backgrounds across the city.
From 2017 to 2021, KC witnessed a staggering nearly 1,000% increase in overdose deaths.
Lucas emphasized the severity of the situation by pointing out that The Kansas City Star’s ongoing investigation revealed over 850 deaths in the nine-county region since 2018, with about 360 in Jackson County alone.
What makes the fentanyl crisis even more distressing is the toll it has taken on young children. Seven children aged 2 and under died in Jackson County last year due to fentanyl exposure in homes and hotel rooms. Without intervention, city officials predicted that the situation will worsen.
Many victims unknowingly consume fentanyl, mistaking it for other substances like pain pills or anti-anxiety medications.
The local police have seized substantial amounts of fentanyl over the past year, underscoring the magnitude of the issue. Sgt. Aaron Benson of KCPD’s drug investigation squad reported recovering 61,000+ grams of fentanyl, equating to over three million potential lethal doses.
Lucas acknowledged the families affected by the crisis and emphasized their role in the newly established Overdose Fatality Review Board.
Despite feeling behind in the fight against rising fentanyl deaths over the past three years, Lucas expressed confidence that the new initiatives mark a crucial step in addressing the crisis.
For more info about fentanyl, Benson, the KCPD drug investigator, recommends the DEA’s website dea.gov/onepill.
I’ve been reading up on this. In some areas in Missouri, there are Narcan vending machines, and the overdose rates are starting to slow down. Sanchez reports that “Narcan vending machines will be available in in Lake Ozark, Camdenton, Lebanon and Crocker”. (2023, KOMU) And I found a document from the Missouri Department of Health that says “the vending machine helps to break down some barriers. They can get Narcan and not have to report to anyone. Yet, we are still able to track how many doses are taken.” And reports that 77 doses of Narcan were distributed from one machine in the first two weeks.
We NEED these machines in the metropolitan area! This is a solid remedy. It could save lives. That is so important that I want to say it again. These machines could save lives.
There has to be some kind of grant or other funding available to make these machines a reality in our city. I am not an expert, but I know that this could become a reality in the greater Kansas City area if the right people pushed in the right places.
Reporter, Nate Sanchez, KOMU 8 News. “Ozarks-Area Cities Receive Narcan Vending Machines.” KOMU 8, 20 Feb. 2023, http://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/ozarks-area-cities-receive-narcan-vending-machines/article_4bd11746-b162-11ed-ba54-e7eef7f6268e.html. Accessed 22 Nov. 2023.
Mo.gov, 2023, health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus-lpha/doc/narcan-vending-machine.docx. Accessed 22 Nov. 2023.