Expert Insights
I was pleased to see that the U.S. Senator Roger Marshall announced new legislation to target the sale and distribution of fentanyl. The Cooper Davis Act, named after a Johnson county teen who took a pill containing a lethal dose of fentanyl, would require social media companies to work with law enforcement agencies to reduce the illicit sale of drugs on their platforms. While I’m dubious about giving agencies access to private information, I do think it’s a good idea in this regard because these sites are so unregulated. I’ve personally seen ads for drugs on Instagram and I don’t spend as much time on these sites as kids. It’s worrying that they could purchase drugs when their parents think they’re just chatting with their friends.
~ Olivia Pennelle
Cost of Drug Rehab in Overland Park
When looking into the cost of care, some important factors to consider are the cost of living in the area you want to go to rehab, what type of program you need, and what your financial situation is.
If you need help financing your program, you can look into applying for a medical care loan or try setting up a crowdfunding website. If those options aren’t a good option for you, try finding a low-cost or free facility.
Overland Park, Kansas Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics
Drug overdoses have risen consistently since 2000. Here are some more facts about illicit substance use in the county:1,2,3

Between 2015 and 2020, there was an 80% increase in overdoses and a 54% increase in the first half of 2021.

In 2017, the number of fatal drug overdoses was higher than the number of car accident fatalities.

The 45-54 age group was affected most by drug overdoses, followed by the 35-44 age group.

The rate of deaths caused by opiates was twice that of all other drugs in 2018.
There is a wealth of programming available in Overland Park and nearby Kansas City to help people with an addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Drug and Alcohol Laws in Kansas
Because the state has seen such a rapid increase in drug and alcohol-related problems, there is a range of laws that have been enacted to help people dealing with the fallout.
Naloxone Access Law: In response to the rising number of opioid overdose deaths, the state enacted Naloxone access laws to enable pharmacists to provide first responders, teachers, family members, bystanders, and patients access to life-saving medication without a prior prescription.14 This policy is pharmacist-specific, meaning pharmacists can choose whether or not to participate in the program, and if one pharmacist is not certified to participate, you can ask to speak to a pharmacist who is or call 211 to be directed to a participating pharmacy.
Family and Medical Leave Act: The state of Kansas follows federal FMLA guidelines, offering 12 weeks of unpaid leave to employees that have worked for 1,250 hours in the past 12 months with at least one year of employment.15 This rule is to run concurrently with any paid leave you may have earned, meaning you can’t typically stack your paid leave and unpaid leave, though some companies may allow it.
Involuntary Substance Use Treatment Law: In Kansas, under statute 59, a person may be forced to enter rehab services if a mental health professional, law enforcement officer, or other person believes them to be a danger to themselves and others as a result of uncontrollable substance use.16
Resources
- FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). FindTreatment.gov.
- Shawnee County Health Department. (January 27, 2020). EPI-SURVeillance.
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment. (January 3, 2022). News Flash: Kansas sees a 54% increase in drug overdoses in the first 6 months of 2021.
- Center for Disease Control. (2022). CDCWonder.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. (2022). Treatment Locator.
- the State of Kansas. (2022). KanCare Medicaid for Kansas.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Eligibility.
- National Library of Health. (2022). Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Chapter 3. Intensive Outpatient Treatment and the Continuum of Care.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Medication-Assisted Treatment.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Methadone.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Buprenorphine.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Naltrexone.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2022). Antabuse.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2022). Acamprosate.
- Kansas Board of Pharmacy. (2022). Naloxone Dispensing in Kansas.
- Kansas Department of Administration. (2020). Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Policy.
- Kansas State Legislation. (2021). Statute 59.