Drug overdoses have taken a sharp rise in Kansas. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported a 54% increase in drug overdose deaths during the first six months of 2021. Preliminary results from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System show that at least 338 Kansas residents died of drug overdose between January 1st, 2021 and June 30th, 2021. Provisional data represents the most current estimates and is subject to change.
Of those deaths, 149 involved fentanyl or fentanyl analogs, 149 involved methamphetamine and 40 involved other licit and illicit drugs, such as cocaine and prescription opioids. More than one drug can be involved in a fatal drug overdose, so these values are not mutually exclusive. Fentanyl continues to drive the uptick on fatal drug overdoses in Kansas. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often combined with other drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, or used as a standalone drug. Because it’s so powerful, fentanyl-involved overdoses come on very quickly and may be difficult to reverse.
