Douglas County health officials working to make resources accessible after surge in opioid overdoses
DCCCA offers naloxone through a vending machine outside of a Lawrence Transit station near the University of Kansas campus. (Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector)
LAWRENCE — Public health officials are responding to a spike in opioid overdoses in Douglas County by offering free, lifesaving drugs, including through a vending machine.
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health called attention to overdose statistics in a social media post, stating the Kansas Department of Health and Environment identified 33 opioid overdoses between March and May in eastern Kansas. Douglas County accounted for a majority of emergency department visits in the area, double what would be expected in a two-month timeframe.
'This isn't just a Douglas County issue. This is a nationwide issue that unfortunately claims people's lives every year,' said Cara Hansuld, prevention services program manager at DCCCA, which provides community and social services. 'It's hard to say what the long-term effects are right now and if this is going to continue.'
Douglas County resources
DCCCA: Free Narcan and fentanyl test strips, and naloxone vending machine. Contact: info@dccca.org.
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health: Free Narcan and test strips, no appointment needed. Contact: 785-843-3060.
Treatment and Recovery Center: Open 24/7 for detox, mental health and substance use care. Contact: 785-843-9192.
Heartland Community Health Center: Medication-assisted treatment, mental health care, walk-ins welcome. Contact: 785-841-7297.
While public health officials have been swift to make lifesaving drugs like naloxone accessible to the public, other local experts are emphasizing the need for awareness and education.
'It's important for our residents to know what's happening,' Hansuld said. 'This indicates to me that there is more concentrated fentanyl or just a more dangerous strain of the substance that they're seeking. It's good for everyone to know so they can be prepared in case that happens to them or somebody close to them.'
DCCCA has funded a naloxone vending machine outside of a Lawrence Transit station near the University of Kansas campus since Feb. 2024, providing free nasal spray when residents enter their zip code. Douglas County residents also can request free naloxone and fentanyl test strips online through DCCCA's website.
'This is a communitywide and national challenge that demands a coordinated, multifaceted response,' said Ryan Sztorch, senior director of crisis services at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center in Lawrence. 'Reducing stigma is a key part of that process.'
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health provides naloxone and fentanyl test strips as well as education on how to use them. Executive director Jonathan Smith said it's crucial to share accurate, timely information about the clinic's resources to save lives.
'This is a moment for the community to be alert and educated about resources available to prevent overdoses from happening,' Smith said. 'The most important thing we can do is act early, raise awareness, and make sure people know where to go for support.'
Organizations are working to spread awareness about the rise in overdoses across the county. For Douglas County, collaboration has been key in helping address the opioid crisis.
'Our community is fortunate to have a wide range of strengths and resources, and it's only through collective action that we can make meaningful progress,' Sztorch said. 'Each of these partners brings unique strengths — whether it's providing treatment, coordinating care, distributing Narcan, or offering lifesaving interventions. This united front is a testament to the power of community and shared purpose.'
Bert Nash partners with first responders across the county to provide not only treatment but also mental health resources. Sztorch says that reducing the stigma of substance use means recognizing substance use disorders the same way we would other medical conditions, as well as their connection to mental health.
'Normalizing substance use disorders as medical conditions — just like diabetes or heart disease — is essential to saving lives,' said Sztorch. 'We also need insurance providers to recognize and support treatment for substance use disorders on par with other health conditions. We know that mental health and substance use are deeply interconnected — addressing one often supports healing in the other.'
Although experts haven't identified a root cause to the uptick in overdoses, they agree the goal is to continue educating Douglas County residents and providing resources to those in need.
'Our focus right now is on preventing further harm,' Smith said. 'The resources are here, and we want to make sure our community knows how to access them.'
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