Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for Kansas

Kansas has been grappling with a significant drug and alcohol addiction crisis, which has had far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and communities across the state. This article presents an overview of the latest statistics on substance use disorders, drug overdose deaths, youth substance use, and treatment and recovery challenges in Kansas, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions.

• Kansas reported over 600 drug-related overdose deaths in 2021, with approximately half of these deaths being drug-related.¹
• Kansas had the third highest percentage of adults with alcohol use disorder at 13.48% in 2020.²
• The number of drug overdose deaths in Kansas rose from 403 in 2019 to 490 in 2020, a 22% increase.³

Substance Use and Disorders

Substance use and disorders are prevalent in Kansas, with the state ranking lower than the national average in some areas. Here are some key statistics:

• In 2017/2018, Kansas ranked 45th in current illicit drug use among persons aged 12 or older at 9.17%, compared to the national average of 12.34%.⁴
• Kansas ranked 39th in heroin use at 0.25% among persons aged 12 or older yearly.⁴

These numbers demonstrate the widespread nature of substance use issues in the state, despite being lower than the national average in some categories.

Youth Substance Use

Substance use among young people in Kansas is a concern, although specific recent percentages are not provided in the search results:

• Data on youth alcohol use in Kansas is monitored but specific recent percentages are not provided in the search results.⁵

Monitoring youth substance use is crucial for developing targeted prevention and intervention strategies.

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Treatment and Recovery

Access to quality treatment and recovery services is essential for addressing substance use disorders in Kansas. Here are some relevant statistics:

• In 2009, 19,122 people entered treatment for both alcohol and drug rehab in Kansas, with 67.3% being males and 32.7% females.⁶
• 3,801 people went to treatment for alcohol dependence and 4,687 for alcohol combined with a secondary drug.⁶

Ensuring access to effective treatment and support for long-term recovery is crucial for helping individuals and communities affected by addiction.

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Additional Statistics

Here are some additional statistics related to substance use in Kansas and the Kansas City metropolitan area:

• The largest increase in drugs cited as abused was methamphetamine, rising from 3% in 1992 to 25% in 2006.⁶
• In the Kansas City MSA, an annual average of 239,000 persons aged 12 or older used any illicit drug in the past year, representing 13.1% of the MSA population.⁷
• 157,000 persons aged 12 or older (8.6%) were classified as having a substance use disorder in the past year in the Kansas City MSA.⁷
• In the Kansas City MSA, 28.4% of persons aged 12 or older smoked cigarettes in the past month, and 25.2% participated in binge alcohol use at least once during the past month.⁷

The statistics presented in this article paint a troubling picture of the drug and alcohol addiction landscape in Kansas. From the high rates of alcohol use disorder and the increasing number of drug overdose deaths to the challenges faced in treatment and recovery, it is clear that the state faces significant hurdles in addressing this crisis. However, by prioritizing prevention, expanding access to quality treatment, and supporting long-term recovery, Kansas can work towards a healthier, more resilient future for all its residents.

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