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A recent University of Kansas study has revealed significant gaps in Kansas’ response to opioid addiction, highlighting a lack of access to medical detox programs and medication-assisted treatments. The study, which surveyed over 2,000 residents, found that nearly one in five adults in the state suffers from substance use disorder. Despite this, many individuals are unable to access the necessary care due to limited availability of treatment facilities and ongoing stigma surrounding addiction.

The report emphasizes the effectiveness of medical detox programs that utilize medication to ease withdrawal symptoms, yet such services are scarce in Kansas. Additionally, the study points out that 59.1% of drug overdose deaths occurred among individuals who had opportunities for prevention, a rate lower than neighboring Missouri’s 71.2%.

Advocates argue that expanding access to these essential treatments and addressing the stigma associated with addiction are critical steps toward improving public health outcomes in the state.