Davids Discusses Fentanyl Epidemic with Local Health Care Workers

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined local health care workers 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 challenges health care workers face when caring for fentanyl-related overdose patients and how Davids can better support their work in Congress.

"The fentanyl crisis is a public health emergency — both here in Kansas and across the country — and our health care workers and first responders are on the front lines every day saving lives," said Davids. "Thanks in part to their tireless efforts, we’re finally starting to see a decline in overdose deaths. But even one life lost is one too many. Today’s conversation was eye-opening and reaffirmed my commitment to listening, learning, and fighting for the tools Kansans need to stay safe."

Rep. Sharice Davids speaking on the fentanyl crisis at St. Luke’s Hospital

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 100 times stronger than morphine, is increasingly found in fake prescription pills such as Vicodin, OxyContin, or Adderall. 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.

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.

Summit attendees included health care and public health representatives from AdventHealth, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Elizabeth Layton Center, Franklin County Public Health, Johnson County Emergency Medical Services (MED-ACT), Johnson County Mental Health, Kansas City Kansas Fire Department, Kansas City Kansas Police Department, Miami County Health Department, Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA), Saint Luke's Health System, The University of Kansas Health System, and Wyandotte County Health Department.

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.

What they’re saying:

“In Miami County, we are working closely with local partners through our mental health initiative to address substance use and overdose prevention in a comprehensive, community-driven way,” said Christena Beer, Public Health Director, Miami County. “We are utilizing opioid settlement funds to support allowable abatement strategies focused on coordinated care, early intervention, and public health education. These efforts are critical in reducing the harms of fentanyl and supporting long-term recovery across the communities we serve.”

“From distributing naloxone to raising awareness through the You Never Know campaign, the Johnson County Prevention and Recovery Coalition has played a critical role in our community’s fight against the fentanyl crisis,” said Tim DeWeese, Director, Johnson County Mental Health Center. “Their work is a powerful example of the impact a coordinated response can have on efforts to save lives. We look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Davids and all our partners to reduce overdose and poisoning deaths in Johnson County and Kansas.”

“As caregivers, our fundamental responsibility is the wellbeing of our patients and the larger community,” said Dr. Jennifer Elliott, chair of Saint Luke’s Opioid Stewardship Program and medical director of Saint Luke’s Pain Management Clinic. “Through Saint Luke’s Opioid Stewardship Program, we provide needed resources and education and have implemented measures to ensure we are good stewards of these prescriptions. We are committed to continue raising awareness on this important issue and working together on a solution with Rep. Davids and others in our community.”

“Emergency Medical Services witnesses firsthand the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on our communities,” said Adiel Garcia, Division Chief – Education & Integrated Healthcare, Johnson County Department of Emergency Services. “Johnson County MED-ACT is responding with evidence-based care, including expanded use of naloxone, proactive community outreach, and partnerships with treatment providers. We are committed not just to saving lives in the moment, but to being part of a long-term solution that connects patients to the help they need through follow-ups, referrals, and wrap around services.”

“Representative Davids’ commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis and protecting our communities is deeply appreciated by the entire law enforcement community,” said Daniel W. Neill, Executive Director, Midwest HIDTA. “Her strong support for the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area in Kansas ensures that state, local, tribal, and federal agencies can continue working together to save lives, dismantle drug trafficking organizations, and disrupt the flow of fentanyl into our region. Her advocacy for sustained HIDTA funding reflects a clear understanding that collaboration — not fragmentation — is the key to turning the tide against this epidemic.”

“The Kansas City Kansas Fire Department is very pleased that Representative Sharice Davids is keeping all public safety agencies focused on continuing the fight against the illegal distribution and use of fentanyl,” said Dennis L. Rubin, Fire Chief, Kansas City Kansas Fire Department. “The misuse of fentanyl usually comes with a heavy price tag. The KCKFD Fire Department responds to emergency calls for help involving this powerful drug almost daily. More often than not, the person or people in trouble are the youth of this community. The KCKFD is proud to work alongside of the Congress Member Davids to work toward eradicating this emerging community crisis.”

“I’m always saying anything is everything,” said Keatherann Sharp, Community Health Outreach Director, Wyandotte County Health Department. “When you are helping a person, they remember the smallest thing and when it comes to a person in active use, they remember everything. So, a simple smile can be the turning point for them.”