The State Child Death Review Board reported that Kansas recorded an increase in the number of drug-related deaths in children aged 0-17, especially a dramatic increase in fentanyl-related deaths.

 The report showed that the number of drug-related deaths rose to 16 in 2020 up from five in 2019. There were 11 fentanyl deaths in 2020 after the report showed no fentanyl deaths in the previous four years.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported almost 500,000 people of all ages died from overdoses involving both illicit and prescribed use of opioids from 1999-2019. In recent years, in Kansas and across the US, the data has shown an increase in the use of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. While fentanyl is a prescription drug, it is also manufactured illegally. Frequently it is incorporated into illicitly manufactured pressed pills and mixed with other substances without the knowledge of the end user.