Davids Discusses Fentanyl Epidemic with Local Education Professionals

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined local school district superintendents, school resource officers, and law enforcement officials for another summit regarding the growing threat of fentanyl, the number one cause of overdose deaths in the United States. The group discussed the impact the fentanyl crisis has on students and how Davids can help advocate in Congress for Kansas youth.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 100 times stronger than morphine, is increasingly found in fake prescription pills such as Vicodin, OxyContin, or hydrocodone. Overdose deaths dropped by 24 percent from September 2023 to September 2024. Davids is working to build on this momentum and remains committed to protecting Kansans’ health through continued action in Congress.

“The fentanyl crisis has become a public health emergency, especially hurting our young people who too often don’t realize the danger until it’s too late,” said Davids. “While we’ve seen recent progress in reducing overdose deaths, we can’t afford to let up. I’m committed to working side by side with the educators and law enforcement I met with today to take this crisis head-on. Together — through coordination, education, and urgency — we can save lives and protect future generations.”

Davids, a member of the bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus, has collaborated with Midwest HIDTA, a regional office working to reduce illicit drug availability, on multiple fentanyl summits with health care workers, education professionals, and law enforcement officers. She has also taken several legislative actions based on the specific needs of the Kansas Third District, including:

• Joining a bipartisan group of lawmakers to request funding for new handheld mass spectrometry trace-level chemical detection devices at domestic ports.
• Urging the FDA to take up expert recommendations and make Narcan, a common naloxone nasal spray, available without a prescription — which they did earlier this year.
• Securing a nearly $16 million grant to help law enforcement seize illicit drugs like fentanyl, reduce violent crime associated with drug trafficking, and improve data collection.
• Voting to permanently place all fentanyl-related substances into a Schedule I class, labeling the drug with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical value.
• Helping pass a bipartisan bill to create a public awareness campaign about synthetic opioids. This came after meeting with Libby Davis, a Johnson County resident whose son passed away after taking a counterfeit pill that was unknowingly laced with fentanyl.
• Pushing for expanded federal grant opportunities, so law enforcement and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) can easily acquire life-saving naloxone kits.
• Visiting the Port of Long Beach to see how the port uses state-of-the-art technologies to prevent harmful substances — like fentanyl — from entering the country illegally.

"Education is our first line of defense against the fentanyl crisis,” said Heidi Tomassi, Fentanyl and Substance Abuse Education Specialist, Olathe Public Schools. “When students, parents, educators, and communities are informed and understand the risks and warning signs, we empower them to make meaningful, life-saving choices. But we can't stop at awareness — we need consistent funding, policy support, and community partnerships to drive lasting change."

"As a school district, Gardner Edgerton USD 231 is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students,” said Ben Boothe, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Gardner Edgerton USD 231. “The fentanyl crisis is a growing concern that threatens the lives of young people in our community, and working alongside Representative Davids is essential in addressing this issue. By collaborating with her and other school district leaders, we can strengthen prevention efforts, raise awareness, and ensure that our schools remain a safe place for every student."

“As the father of two daughters and the superintendent of more than 26,000 students, I share the deep concerns of our entire community around the dangers of fentanyl,” said Dr. Michael Schumacher, Superintendent, Shawnee Mission School District. “We take seriously our responsibility to keep our children safe and work tirelessly to make sure they understand just how deadly fentanyl can be. I appreciate Rep. Davids’ work to support funding, education, and prevention efforts; It will take all of us, working together, to keep our children safe.”

Summit attendees included education and law enforcement representatives from the Turner Unified School District, Shawnee Mission Unified School District, Blue Valley Unified School District, De Soto Unified School District, Olathe Unified School District, Gardner-Edgerton Unified School District, Spring Hill Unified School District, and Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA).

Community members looking to learn more about how to keep their families safe can visit the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Kansas City-focused website. Resources and prevention services for individuals, families, schools, and others are available.