Kansas City, Missouri is taking proactive steps to combat the rising death toll from fentanyl. The city council has passed an ordinance to hire two overdose investigators and require overdoses to be reported within 24 hours. This initiative aims to address the alarming rate of fentanyl-related deaths that have reached epidemic proportions in the city.
According to the Kansas City Star, the health department currently relies on overdose data that can be up to two years old. The newly hired researchers will provide the city with real-time information, helping them better understand the problem and implement effective strategies to save lives.
The Kansas City Police Department has already seized more than 134 pounds of fentanyl this year, highlighting the severity of the problem. Mayor Quinton Lucas shared that by 2022, there was one suspected overdose every day except one in Kansas City emergency rooms, outnumbering homicides.
Mayor Lucas emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Overdose deaths are at an epidemic level in Kansas City and fentanyl is driving the epidemic. Overdose deaths surpassed our homicide numbers in 2021.” .
The new ordinance also establishes a review board tasked with analyzing real-time overdose data. This board will include family members of overdose victims, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences are taken into account to develop effective solutions.
By taking these steps, Kansas City hopes to stem the rising tide of fentanyl-related deaths and bring much-needed relief to its affected communities.
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