Governor Laura Kelly calls for the decriminalization of fentanyl test strips in Kansas.

 Kelly was joined by healthcare, medical, addiction, and law enforcement professionals yesterday, as well as a parent who lost her son to an accidental fentanyl overdose, in a roundtable discussion about fentanyl and its effect on Kansas.

 Kelly says decriminalizing fentanyl test strips is a commonsense way to prevent overdoses and save lives, adding that Kansas must join many states across the country that have made fentanyl test strips and other tools available to prevent exposure to fentanyl long before it kills.

 Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister agrees, saying a great way to keep communities safe from deadly fentanyl is by legalizing fentanyl test strips. Crystal Tucker, who lost her 22-year-old son Lantz to an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2020, says awareness isn't enough, but tools like the test strips must be readily available.

 Kansas is one of only a handful of states that have not legalized fentanyl test strips, however, there is bipartisan support for a similar policy in Kansas. Senate Bill 174 includes language that would decriminalize fentanyl test strips.