Quick answer
Fentanyl was present in about 88% of opioid-involved drug deaths in the Kansas City metro, and Jackson County drove the region's 402 drug-involved deaths in 2024. Medication for opioid use disorder is the standard of care and MO HealthNet covers it. ReDiscover runs treatment across Jackson County. Here is how to start.
Fentanyl is in almost everything sold as a pill or a bag in Kansas City, and the numbers show it: it was present in roughly nine out of ten opioid-involved drug deaths in the metro. That is the bad news. The good news is that opioid use disorder has effective medication, and Jackson County has providers who start people on it every day. The first step is one call.
What the Kansas City metro's numbers show
The University of Missouri–St. Louis Addiction Science team tracks drug-involved deaths across Cass, Clay, Platte, and Jackson counties. Its 2024 report found:
- 402 drug-involved deaths across the four counties, a 10% decrease from 2023
- Fentanyl present in about 88% of opioid-involved deaths
- Jackson County driving the metro trend — stimulant-involved deaths rose 4%, deaths involving both stimulants and opioids rose 14%, while fentanyl-involved deaths fell 8%
- A 94% increase in drug-involved deaths among people 65 and older in Jackson County (35 deaths)
Statewide, the 2024 Missouri overdose report counted 1,450 overdose deaths, down 26% from 1,948 in 2023, with fentanyl-involved deaths down 39%.
Medication is the standard of care
The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes medication for opioid use disorder as the standard of care and reports that people treated with methadone or buprenorphine are less likely to die or overdose than people who go without.
- Buprenorphine — a daily tablet or film, prescribable in a clinic or doctor's office.
- Methadone — dispensed daily at a certified opioid treatment program.
- Naltrexone — blocks opioid receptors, but only after full detox.
Medication works best alongside counseling, and it can continue safely through pregnancy under medical care. Ask a clinician which option fits.
Where to get care in Kansas City
ReDiscover is a CARF-accredited Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic that has served the Kansas City metro since 1969. It provides substance use disorder treatment in residential and outpatient settings, and operates two opioid treatment programs — Treatment Options Program (TOP) and Transitions — making it the only provider in eastern Jackson County offering methadone-based medication-assisted treatment.
- Behavioral Health Urgent Care — 7001 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown; walk-ins 7 days a week, 9 a.m.–7:30 p.m., 816-988-2739
- 24-hour crisis line — 1-888-279-8188
- ReDiscover serves Kansas City, Lee's Summit, Raytown, and Grandview, and most clients face serious barriers to care, so staff are used to working with people who are uninsured or low-income.
Naloxone and harm reduction
Fentanyl is lethal in tiny amounts and is often pressed into counterfeit pills, so everyone using opioids should carry naloxone and the people around them should know how to use it.
- Missouri has a statewide naloxone standing order, so pharmacists can dispense naloxone without a separate prescription — and it is available over the counter as well.
- Free mail-order or pickup naloxone can be found through GetMissouriNaloxone.com.
Naloxone cannot hurt someone who is not overdosing. If you are unsure, give it and call 911.
Paying for treatment
MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) covers medically necessary substance use disorder treatment for eligible members, including medications for opioid use disorder. Many members enroll through managed care plans such as Healthy Blue, Home State Health, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Confirm network and prior authorization with your plan when you call.
How to start today
- If someone is unresponsive or breathing slowly, call 911 and give naloxone if you have it. For a crisis, call or text 988.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 to talk through options with a treatment specialist — free and without obligation:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers.
- Call ReDiscover's 24-hour line at 1-888-279-8188, or walk in to its Behavioral Health Urgent Care in Raytown.
- Ask about starting buprenorphine or methadone this week — same-day or next-day induction is possible at many programs now.
Fentanyl use disorder is treatable, and Kansas City has providers ready to start. The first call is the hardest part.
Emergency and crisis lines
Call 911 first if someone is unresponsive, breathing slowly, or turning blue. For a mental health or substance use crisis that is not a medical emergency, call or text 988, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
This page is general health information, not medical advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any facility named above.
Last updated: Mon Oct 19 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Frequently asked questions
How bad is fentanyl in Kansas City?
The University of Missouri-St. Louis Addiction Science team reports fentanyl was present in about 88% of opioid-involved drug deaths in the four Greater Kansas City, MO counties. Those counties recorded 402 drug-involved deaths in 2024, a 10% decrease, with Jackson County driving the trend.
What medications treat opioid use disorder?
The FDA has approved methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone for opioid use disorder. Per NIDA, people treated with methadone or buprenorphine are less likely to die or overdose than people who get no medication, and medication works best alongside counseling.
Where can I get treatment in Kansas City?
ReDiscover is a CARF-accredited Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic serving Jackson County. It operates two opioid treatment programs and is the only provider in eastern Jackson County offering methadone-based medication-assisted treatment. It also has a walk-in Behavioral Health Urgent Care in Raytown.
Where can I get naloxone in Kansas City?
Missouri has a statewide naloxone standing order, so pharmacists can dispense naloxone without a separate prescription, and naloxone is also available over the counter. Free mail-order or pickup naloxone can be found through GetMissouriNaloxone.com.
What should I do if someone is overdosing right now?
Call 911 immediately and give naloxone if you have it - naloxone will not harm someone who is not overdosing. For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988, or call ReDiscover's 24-hour crisis line at 1-888-279-8188.