Statistical Data on Drugs in Kansas
This comprehensive report presents drug and substance use statistics for Kansas. The data spans various years, with the most recent figures from 2023, and covers overdose deaths, substance use patterns across different age groups, treatment enrollment, and associated health impacts. Kansas generally shows lower rates of substance use and overdose deaths compared to national averages, though concerning trends have emerged in recent years, particularly regarding synthetic opioids and methamphetamine.
Overdose Death Statistics
Recent Overdose Deaths (2023)
- 653 overdose deaths occurred in Kansas in 2023
- Death rate: 22 per 100,000 residents
- This represents the third highest drug overdose death rate in Kansas since 1999
- Kansas rate is 27% lower than the U.S. national average
While Kansas maintains a lower overdose death rate than the national average, the 2023 figure represents a concerning peak in the state’s history.
Earlier Statistics
| Metric | Value |
| Annual overdose deaths (earlier data) | 403 |
| Percentage of all deaths from overdose | 1.46% |
| Annual rate of OD death increase (3-year period) | 8.89% |
| OD death rate | 14.3 per 100,000 |
| Below national average | 30.92% |
| Percentage of nationwide OD deaths | 0.57% |
Historical Trends
- Overdose death rate increased 84% since 2018
- Overdose death rate increased 90% since 2013
- Rate increased in 19 of the last 24 years with available data
- Drug overdose death rates increased from 10.1 per 100,000 in 2011 to 24.3 per 100,000 in 2021
The dramatic increases over the past decade reflect the national opioid and synthetic drug crisis reaching Kansas, though at a slower pace than many other states.
Geographic Variations in Overdose Deaths (2023)
| Rank | County | Death Rate |
| 1 | Wyandotte County | 44.2 |
| 2 | Sedgwick County | 38.4 |
| 3 | Shawnee County | 29.8 |
| 4 | Leavenworth County | 23.9 |
| 5 | Douglas County | 16.6 |
| 6 | Johnson County | 15.3 |
Overdose death rates vary nearly threefold across Kansas counties, with Wyandotte County experiencing rates nearly three times higher than Johnson County. Urban counties generally show higher rates, suggesting concentrated drug problems in metropolitan areas.
Drug-Induced Deaths Compared to Other Causes (2010)
- Drug-induced deaths: 288 persons
- Motor vehicle accidents: 482 deaths
- Firearm deaths: 300 deaths
Kansas drug-induced death rate: 10.1 per 100,000 (vs. 12.9 nationally)
In 2010, drug-induced deaths were lower than motor vehicle accidents but nearly equal to firearm deaths, though this landscape has shifted dramatically as overdose deaths more than doubled by 2023.
Opioid-Specific Statistics
Recent Opioid Deaths (2021)
- 435 opioid overdose deaths in Kansas
- Opioids accounted for 64% of all drug overdose deaths in the state
- Age-adjusted opioid death rate: 15.7 per 100,000 (increased from 4.3 in 2011)
While opioids remain the leading cause of overdose deaths, Kansas’s 64% rate is lower than the national 75%, suggesting a more diversified drug crisis with significant contributions from stimulants and other substances.
Earlier Opioid Data
| Metric | Value |
| Opioid overdose deaths (2016 data) | 146 |
| Opioid death rate | 5.6 per 100,000 |
| Below national average | 61.6% |
| Percentage of all overdose deaths from opioids (earlier) | 45.2% |
Fentanyl and Synthetic Opioids (2023)
- 54% of total overdose deaths involved fentanyl and synthetic opioids
- Fentanyl death rates increased 16 times between 2004 and 2023
Prescription Opioids
- Doctors write enough prescriptions for 64.3% of residents to have one
- 156 people die from opioid overdose annually (earlier data)
Neonatal Impacts
- 0.37% of hospital births involve neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome
The emergence of fentanyl as the dominant driver of overdose deaths represents the most significant shift in Kansas’s drug crisis.
Substance Use Data by Age
Youth Substance Use
Statistics for Ages 12–17
| Measure | Number | Percentage |
| Illicit drug use (past month) | 17,000 | 7.05% |
| Marijuana use (past year) | 26,000 | 10.37% |
| Marijuana use (past month) | 14,000 | 5.81% |
| Illicit drug use other than marijuana | 4,000 | 1.80% |
| Cocaine use (past year) | <1,000 | 0.16% |
| Heroin use (past year) | Limited data | <0.17% |
| Hallucinogen use (past year) | 5,000 | 1.89% |
| Methamphetamine use (past year) | <1,000 | 0.11% |
| Prescription pain reliever misuse | 5,000 | 1.90% |
| Substance use disorder | 22,000 | 8.81% |
| Drug use disorder | 16,000 | 6.54% |
Kansas youth show lower substance use rates than the national average, with teenagers being 19.51% less likely to have used drugs than average American teens. However, 75% of youth drug users report marijuana use, indicating it remains the predominant substance among adolescents.
College Student Data (Benedictine College, Fall 2023)
- 7.4% used marijuana in the past year
- 3.7% are current marijuana users
College student marijuana use rates at Benedictine College align closely with statewide youth statistics, suggesting consistent patterns across educational settings.
Young Adults Substance Use (Ages 18-25)
| Measure | Number | Percentage |
| Illicit drug use (past month) | 77,000 | 23.57% |
| Marijuana use (past year) | 116,000 | 35.77% |
| Marijuana use (past month) | 71,000 | 21.88% |
| Cocaine use (past year) | 11,000 | 3.45% |
| Heroin use (past year) | 1,000 | 0.17% |
| Hallucinogen use (past year) | 26,000 | 8.01% |
| Methamphetamine use (past year) | 2,000 | 0.74% |
| Prescription pain reliever misuse | 11,000 | 3.31% |
| Substance use disorder | 95,000 | 29.31% |
| Drug use disorder | 56,000 | 17.27% |
Young adults show significantly higher substance use rates than youth, with nearly one in four reporting past-month illicit drug use. This age group is 6.91% less likely to use drugs than the average American in their cohort, suggesting Kansas maintains relatively lower rates across all age groups.
Adults Substance Use (Ages 26+)
| Measure | Number | Percentage |
| Illicit drug use (past month) | 234,000 | 12.63% |
| Marijuana use (past year) | 310,000 | 16.72% |
| Marijuana use (past month) | 210,000 | 11.33% |
| Cocaine use (past year) | 21,000 | 1.15% |
| Heroin use (past year) | 5,000 | 0.25% |
| Hallucinogen use (past year) | 40,000 | 2.14% |
| Methamphetamine use (past year) | 19,000 | 1.01% |
| Prescription pain reliever misuse | 63,000 | 3.40% |
| Substance use disorder | 291,000 | 15.66% |
| Drug use disorder | 149,000 | 8.05% |
Nearly one in six adults aged 26+ has a substance use disorder, with marijuana being the most commonly used illicit substance in this age group.
Total Population Substance Use (Ages 12+)
| Measure | Number | Percentage |
| Illicit drug use (past month) | 328,000 | 13.52% |
| Marijuana use (past year) | 452,000 | 18.62% |
| Marijuana use (past month) | 296,000 | 12.17% |
| Cocaine use (past year) | 33,000 | 1.36% |
| Hallucinogen use (past year) | 70,000 | 2.90% |
| Methamphetamine use (past year) | 21,000 | 0.88% |
| Opioid misuse (past year) | 77,000 | 3.17% |
| Substance use disorder | 408,000 | 16.79% |
| Drug use disorder | 222,000 | 9.13% |
| Pain reliever use disorder | 56,000 | 2.30% |
| Opioid use disorder | 53,000 | 2.20% |
Overall, 6.7% to 7.1% of Kansas residents report past-month illicit drug use, compared to the national average of 8.82%. Marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit substance across all age groups.
Historical Comparison Data (2017-2019 Annual Averages)
Youth (12-17)
- Past-month marijuana use: 3.7% (9,000 youth)
- Past-month illicit drug use: 5.2% (12,000 youth)
- First lifetime alcohol use: 10.2% (24,000 youth)
- First lifetime marijuana use: 5.3% (13,000 youth)
- First lifetime cigarette use: 2.2% (5,000 youth)
Young Adults (18-25)
- Past-year marijuana use: 29.4% (95,000 young adults)
- Past-year marijuana use disorder: 4.9% (16,000)
- Past-year opioid use disorder: 1.4% (5,000)
- Past-year illicit drug use disorder: 6.2% (20,000)
- Past-year substance use disorder: 13.8% (44,000)
Total Population (12+)
- Past-year marijuana use: 14.4% (342,000 people)
- Past-year marijuana use disorder: 0.9% (21,000)
- Past-year heroin use: 0.50% (12,000)
- Past-year prescription pain reliever misuse: 4.0% (94,000)
- Past-year opioid use disorder: 0.6% (14,000)
- Past-year illicit drug use disorder: 2.3% (55,000)
- Past-year substance use disorder: 6.8% (162,000)
These 2017-2019 averages show Kansas consistently performing at or below regional and national averages for most substance use measures, though the state has seen increases in marijuana use over time.
Drug-Specific Statistics
Marijuana
- Most commonly cited drug among primary treatment admissions at over 50%
- 5,506 people entered treatment for marijuana in 2009 (73.2% male, 26.8% female)
- 75% of teen drug users report using marijuana in past month
- Past-year marijuana use among those at risk for initiation: 2.46% overall
Methamphetamine
- Meth lab seizure incidents increased 48% from 101 (2007) to 149 (2012)
- Methamphetamine death rates increased 12.3 times between 2011 and 2023
- 2,059 people entered treatment for amphetamine dependence (2009)
- Citations as abused drug rose from 3% in 1992 to 25% in 2006
Methamphetamine represents one of the fastest-growing drug threats in Kansas, with both production (lab seizures) and deaths rising dramatically over the past two decades.
Cocaine
- 1,364 people entered treatment for smoked cocaine (2009)
- 436 people entered treatment for other cocaine ingestion methods (2009)
- Percentage of admissions has been decreasing since 2006
Prescription Opioids
- 835 individuals admitted to treatment for opiates other than heroin (2009)
- Increased from 579 people in previous year
- 79,000 people misused prescription pain relievers in past year
- Doctors wrote 86.2 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons in 2015 (vs. 70 nationally)
Kansas had a notably high opioid prescribing rate in 2015, exceeding the national average by 23%, which likely contributed to higher rates of prescription opioid misuse and addiction.
Risk Perceptions (Perception of Great Risk (2021-2022))
| Substance/Behavior | Number | Percentage |
| Smoking marijuana once a month | 462,000 | 19.04% |
| Using cocaine once a month | 1,620,000 | 66.76% |
| Trying heroin once or twice | 1,958,000 | 80.70% |
Kansas residents show high risk perception for opioids (80.7% for heroin) but relatively low perception for marijuana (19%), which may contribute to higher marijuana use rates and lower perceived barriers to initiation.
Substance Use Treatment Statistics
Treatment Enrollment (2022)
| Measure | Number (12+) | Percentage |
| Received substance use treatment | 134,000 | 5.50% |
| Classified as needing treatment | 459,000 | 18.86% |
| Not receiving treatment despite need | 316,000 | 70.65% |
A critical treatment gap exists, with over 70% of those needing substance use treatment not receiving it. This represents approximately 316,000 Kansas residents who need but are not accessing treatment services.
Treatment Facilities and Capacity
- 186 active substance abuse clinics in Kansas
- 153 substance use treatment facilities (2021 data)
- 1 facility offers free drug rehab treatment for all clients
- 8,226 people in substance use treatment (2021) – 280 per 100,000 residents
- Kansas ranks #44 among states for share of population seeking treatment
Treatment Enrollment by Type (Single-Day Count, March 2019)
- 10,492 people enrolled in substance use treatment
Treatment focus breakdown:
- 46.1% received treatment for drug problem only
- 16.0% received treatment for alcohol problem only
- 37.8% received treatment for both drug and alcohol problems
Annual Treatment Admissions
- 10,492 clients serviced annually for drug rehab
- 9,556 clients enroll in outpatient services annually
- 825 clients enroll in residential (non-hospital) services
- 111 clients in hospitals for drug rehab
The decrease from 11,471 people in treatment in 2015 to 10,492 in 2019 is concerning given the increasing overdose death rates during the same period. This suggests growing unmet treatment needs.
Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT)
- 2,209 people receiving methadone in opioid treatment programs (March 2019). Decreased from 2,313 in 2015
- 378 people receiving buprenorphine (March 2019). Increased from 261 in 2015
The shift from methadone to buprenorphine reflects national treatment trends, with buprenorphine offering more flexibility and potentially better outcomes for many patients.
Treatment Cost Statistics
Outpatient Treatment
- Average cost per individual: $1,692
- $16.17 million spent on outpatient services (0.7% of U.S. public total)
Residential Treatment
- Average cost per individual: $56,618
- $46.71 million spent on residential treatment (0.9% of U.S. public total)
State Ranking
- Kansas ranks 17th in cheapest to most expensive state for residential drug rehabilitation services
- Kansas is among the top 10 cheapest states for outpatient drug rehabilitation treatment
Kansas offers relatively affordable treatment options compared to other states, though the high cost of residential treatment ($56,618 per person) may still be prohibitive for many residents, contributing to the treatment gap.
Health Impacts
HIV/AIDS Attributed to Injection Drug Use
- 2,997 cases of HIV/AIDS attributed to intravenous drug use
- 2,884 persons living with diagnosed HIV infection in Kansas (2014)/ Rate: 121 cases per 100,000 persons
- 18.5% of males with HIV attributed to injection drug use
- 18.5% of females with HIV attributed to injection drug use
- 147 new HIV cases in 2015: 10.2% of new male cases from injection drug use; 13.3% of new female cases from injection drug use
Hepatitis C (HCV)
- 14,600 cases of hepatitis C attributed to intravenous drug use
- 1,699 cases of chronic HCV reported (2015)
- 22 cases of acute HCV (2015)
- 29,900 persons living with HCV as of 2010 (1,410 per 100,000)
The high numbers of HIV and hepatitis C cases linked to injection drug use underscore the need for harm reduction services, including needle exchange programs and increased access to treatment.
Final Words
While Kansas maintains drug overdose and substance use rates below national averages, the state faces a rapidly escalating crisis driven by synthetic opioids, with overdose deaths more than doubling since 2010 and fentanyl now accounting for over half of all overdose fatalities. The most pressing concern is the critical treatment gap, with 70% of the 459,000 Kansas residents needing substance use treatment unable to access it. Methamphetamine deaths have increased over twelvefold since 2011, representing an emerging threat alongside opioids. Immediate expansion of treatment capacity, harm reduction services, and targeted interventions in high-risk counties like Wyandotte and Sedgwick are essential to reverse these trends and save lives.
Statistical Data on Alcohol in Kansas
This comprehensive report presents alcohol use and abuse statistics for Kansas. The data spans various years, with information from 2011 to 2023, covering alcohol-related deaths, consumption patterns across age groups, binge drinking prevalence, treatment admissions, and economic impacts. Kansas shows patterns similar to national averages for most alcohol-related measures, with notable concerns around binge drinking among young adults and significant economic costs attributable to excessive alcohol use.
Alcohol-Related Death Statistics
- 1,146 annual deaths in Kansas are attributable to excessive alcohol use
- Kansas averages 1 death from excessive alcohol use for every 2,564 people aged 18 and older
- Death rate: 5.13 deaths for every 10,000 adults
- 3.1% of alcohol-related deaths involve individuals under age 21
Excessive alcohol use claims more than 1,100 Kansas lives annually, representing a significant but often overlooked public health burden that exceeds many other preventable causes of death.
Historical Trends in Mortality
- The 5-year average annual rate of excessive alcohol deaths per capita increased by 46.6% from 2015 to 2019
- Excessive alcohol consumption was responsible for approximately 9,856 deaths and 20,750 years of potential life lost annually during 2001-2005
- The CDC estimates 29,230 years of potential life is lost to excessive alcohol use each year
The near 50% increase in alcohol-related death rates over just five years represents a concerning acceleration in alcohol-related mortality.
Demographics of Alcohol-Related Deaths
| Demographic | Percentage |
| Male deaths | 70.4% |
| Female deaths | 29.6% |
| Deaths from chronic causes (e.g., Alcohol Use Disorder) | 59.6% |
| Deaths from acute causes | 40.4% |
| Deaths among adults 35+ years | 83.9% |
| Deaths under age 21 | 3.14% |
Alcohol-related deaths disproportionately affect males and are more commonly caused by chronic conditions like Alcohol Use Disorder rather than acute incidents
Alcohol Consumption Statistics by Age
Youth Alcohol Use (Ages 12-17)
| Measure | Number | Percentage |
| Alcohol use (past month) | 21,000 | 8.34% |
| Binge alcohol use (past month) | 10,000 | 3.92% |
| Alcohol use disorder (past year) | 7,000 | 3.01% |
While youth alcohol use rates are relatively low compared to older age groups, nearly 4% engage in binge drinking.
Underage Drinking (Ages 12-20)
| Measure | Number | Percentage |
| Alcohol use (past month) | 59,000 | 16.40% |
| Binge alcohol use (past month) | 37,000 | 10.24% |
| Alcohol use disorder (past year) | 21,000 | 5.80% |
More than one in six minors report past-month alcohol use, with over 10% engaging in binge drinking despite being underage.
Young Adults Alcohol Use (Ages 18-25)
| Measure | Number | Percentage |
| Alcohol use (past month) | 184,000 | 56.44% |
| Binge alcohol use (past month) | 110,000 | 33.80% |
| Alcohol use disorder (past year) | 60,000 | 18.46% |
Young adults show the highest rates of alcohol use and binge drinking across all age groups, with more than one in three engaging in binge drinking monthly and nearly one in five meeting criteria for alcohol use disorder.
Adults Alcohol Use (Ages 26+)
| Measure | Number | Percentage |
| Alcohol use (past month) | 1,033,000 | 55.67% |
| Binge alcohol use (past month) | 448,000 | 24.16% |
| Alcohol use disorder (past year) | 189,000 | 10.20% |
While binge drinking rates decline with age, they remain substantial, with nearly one-quarter of adults 26 and older reporting binge drinking in the past month.
Youth-Specific Alcohol Statistics
Ease of Access
- 13% of Kansas 8th graders say alcohol is easy to get
- 40% of Kansas 12th graders say alcohol is easy to get
The dramatic increase in perceived accessibility from 8th to 12th grade indicates that prevention efforts may be less effective as youth age and gain more independence.
Age-Related Use Patterns
- 5% of Kansas 6th graders report drinking at least once in the last 30 days
- 42% of Kansas 12th graders report drinking at least once in the last 30 days
The eightfold increase in alcohol use from 6th to 12th grade represents a critical window for intervention during middle and high school years.
Sources of Alcohol
- 43% of Kansas youth obtain alcohol at home
- 60.7% obtain alcohol at a friend’s home
- Parents sometimes provide the alcohol
The home environment remains the primary source of underage drinking, highlighting the need for parent education and engagement in prevention efforts.
General Youth Statistics
- 8.3% of children ages 12-17 reported drinking alcohol in the past month
- Kansas ranks 41st nationally for youth alcohol use
Kansas performs relatively well nationally on youth alcohol use metrics, ranking 41st suggests lower rates compared to most other states.
College Student Data (Benedictine College, Fall 2023)
| Measure | Percentage |
| Consumed alcohol in past year | 70.2% |
| Consumed alcohol in past 30 days | 52.8% |
| Binge drinking in previous two weeks | 13.3% |
College student alcohol use rates are substantially higher than general population rates for their age group, with over 70% reporting past-year use, though binge drinking rates are lower than might be expected at 13.3%.
Historical Trends (2017-2019 Annual Averages)
Youth Alcohol Use (Ages 12-17)
- Past-month alcohol use: 10.4% (25,000 youth)
- Rate decreased between 2002-2004 and 2017-2019
- Similar to regional average (10.3%) and national average (9.4%)
Youth alcohol use has declined over the past 15 years, representing a positive public health trend, though 25,000 Kansas youth still report past-month use.
Young Adult Patterns (Ages 18-25)
- Past-month binge alcohol use: 37.9% (122,000 young adults)
- Rate did not significantly change between 2015-2017 and 2017-2019
- Similar to regional average (37.7%) but higher than national average (35.4%)
- Past-year alcohol use disorder: 10.4% (33,000)
- Rate decreased between 2002-2004 and 2017-2019
While alcohol use disorder rates have improved among young adults, binge drinking remains stubbornly high at nearly 38%.
Binge Drinking Statistics
Current Binge Drinking Rates
- 16.7% of Kansas adults over 18 binge drink at least once per month
- 17.4% of adults report excessive drinking (binge or heavy drinking)
- Kansas ranks 31st nationally for excessive drinking
Binge drinking affects nearly one in six Kansas adults, placing the state in the middle range nationally but still representing a substantial public health challenge.
Binge Drinking Patterns
- Median number of drinks per binge: 5.6
- Among the 25% most active drinkers: 7.8 drinks per binge
- Median binge frequency: 1.6 times monthly
- Among the 25% most active drinkers: 3.8 times per month
Heavy binge drinkers consume significantly more alcohol per episode and binge more frequently.
Binge Drinking by Demographics (BRFSS 2011)
By Sex
| Sex | Prevalence | Frequency (Mean) | Intensity (Mean Drinks) |
| Men | 23.1% | 4.7 episodes/month | 8.9 drinks |
| Women | 11.2% | 3.2 episodes/month | 5.8 drinks |
Men are more than twice as likely to binge drink as women and consume significantly more alcohol per episode.
By Age Group
| Age Group | Prevalence | Frequency (Mean) | Intensity (Mean Drinks) |
| 18-24 years | 28.3% | 4.2 episodes/month | 9.2 drinks |
| 25-34 years | 28.0% | 4.1 episodes/month | 8.3 drinks |
| 35-44 years | 19.5% | 3.8 episodes/month | 7.7 drinks |
| 45-54 years | 16.4% | 4.2 episodes/month | 6.8 drinks |
| 55-64 years | 9.2% | 5.3 episodes/month | 6.4 drinks |
| 65+ years | 3.1% | 4.7 episodes/month | 5.5 drinks |
Binge drinking peaks in the 18-34 age range at 28%, then steadily declines with age, though the frequency of binges among older drinkers who do binge remains substantial.
By Race/Ethnicity
| Race/Ethnicity | Prevalence | Frequency (Mean) | Intensity (Mean Drinks) |
| White Non-Hispanic | 16.8% | 4.2 episodes/month | 7.8 drinks |
| Black Non-Hispanic | 12.8% | 5.8 episodes/month | 8.0 drinks |
| Multiracial/Other | 18.2% | 3.9 episodes/month | 8.2 drinks |
| Hispanic | 21.2% | 3.6 episodes/month | 8.1 drinks |
Hispanic residents show the highest binge drinking prevalence, while Black Non-Hispanic binge drinkers have the highest frequency of episodes among those who binge.
By Education Level
| Education | Prevalence | Frequency (Mean) | Intensity (Mean Drinks) |
| Less Than High School | 14.7% | 5.6 episodes/month | 9.9 drinks |
| High School/GED | 16.4% | 5.0 episodes/month | 8.5 drinks |
| Some College | 18.5% | 4.0 episodes/month | 7.6 drinks |
| College Graduate | 16.7% | 3.1 episodes/month | 6.8 drinks |
While binge drinking prevalence is relatively consistent across education levels, those with less education who do binge drink show higher frequency and intensity, consuming nearly 10 drinks per episode.
By Annual Household Income
| Income | Prevalence | Frequency (Mean) | Intensity (Mean Drinks) |
| Less than $15,000 | 14.6% | 4.4 episodes/month | 8.7 drinks |
| $15,000-$24,999 | 15.3% | 4.9 episodes/month | 9.0 drinks |
| $25,000-$34,999 | 15.5% | 4.8 episodes/month | 8.0 drinks |
| $35,000-$49,999 | 17.5% | 5.0 episodes/month | 8.6 drinks |
| $50,000 or more | 19.5% | 3.5 episodes/month | 7.1 drinks |
Higher-income individuals show higher binge drinking prevalence but lower frequency and intensity, suggesting different drinking patterns across socioeconomic groups.
Risk Perceptions (Perception of Risk (2021-2022))
| Measure | Number | Percentage |
| Total perceiving great risk from 5+ drinks once/twice weekly | 967,000 | 39.83% |
| Youth (12-17) perceiving great risk | 95,000 | 38.38% |
| Young adults (18-25) perceiving great risk | 111,000 | 34.16% |
| Adults (26+) perceiving great risk | 761,000 | 41.02% |
| Ages 12-20 perceiving great risk | 136,000 | 37.90% |
Only about 40% of Kansas residents perceive great risk from regular heavy drinking, with young adults showing the lowest risk perception despite being the highest-risk group for binge drinking.
Alcohol Treatment Admissions Statistics
- 3,801 people went to treatment for alcohol dependence
- 4,687 people went to treatment for alcohol combined with a secondary drug
- 72% of those admitted were male
- 28% were female
Nearly half of alcohol treatment admissions involve polysubstance use, complicating treatment approaches and highlighting the interconnected nature of substance use disorders.
Economic Impact
- Kansas taxpayers spent $2.076 billion in 2010 as a result of excessive alcohol use
- Adjusted for inflation: $2.802 billion in 2022 dollars
- Equivalent to $2.94 per drink in 2022 dollars
The nearly $3 billion annual cost of excessive alcohol use represents a massive economic burden on Kansas taxpayers, exceeding many state budget categories and highlighting the hidden costs of alcohol abuse.
Final Words
Kansas faces significant alcohol-related public health challenges, with over 1,100 annual deaths and nearly $3 billion in associated costs. While the state has made progress in reducing youth alcohol use and alcohol use disorder rates, binge drinking remains widespread, particularly among young adults where nearly 38% report past-month binge drinking. The 46.6% increase in alcohol-related deaths from 2015 to 2019 signals a worsening crisis. Critical gaps exist in risk perception, particularly among those most likely to binge drink, and the home environment remains a primary source of underage drinking. Comprehensive strategies addressing pricing, availability, enforcement, treatment access, and parent education are essential to reduce alcohol-related harms in Kansas.
Conclusion
In general, Kansas faces dual substance crises with drug overdose deaths more than doubling since 2010 and alcohol-related deaths increasing 46.6% from 2015 to 2019, together claiming nearly 1,800 lives yearly. The most critical challenge is the massive treatment gap, with 70% of the 459,000 residents needing substance use treatment unable to access it, while binge drinking affects nearly one-quarter of all adults. Fentanyl now drives 54% of drug overdoses, methamphetamine deaths have surged twelvefold, and excessive substance use costs Kansas taxpayers nearly $3 billion annually. Immediate action—expanding treatment capacity, implementing harm reduction services, addressing binge drinking culture, and targeting high-risk counties and demographics—is essential to reverse these escalating trends and save lives.
Sources:
- Drug Abuse Statistics
- Mental Health and Substance Use State Fact Sheets | KFF
- KANSAS – National Survey on Drug Use and Health
- KANSAS
- How many drug overdose deaths happen every year in Kansas?
- KANSAS DRUG CONTROL UPDATE Drug Use Trends in Kansas Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions Data
- Kansas Drug Abuse Statistics | Recovery Connection
- How many people are receiving substance use treatment in Kansas | KSNT 27 News
- Behavioral Health Barometer: Kansas, Volume 6
- Explore Excessive Drinking in Kansas | AHR
- Binge Drinking Prevalence, Frequency and Intensity in Kansas, BRFSS 2011
- Explore Alcohol Use – Youth in Kansas | AHR
- Fast Facts – Underage Drinking in Kansas