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Lenexa proclaims National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day; local EMS urges naloxone access
Summary
Lenexa’s mayor proclaimed Aug. 21 National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. Local public-safety and MedAct representatives urged wider naloxone availability and outreach to youth during the council meeting’s proclamation ceremony.
Mayor Julie Sayers proclaimed Aug. 21, 2025, in Lenexa as National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day and invited local public-safety partners and community advocates to the podium to highlight the city’s response to fentanyl-related overdoses.
The proclamation said fentanyl is “a powerful synthetic opioid taking lives every day, often without warning,” and declared the day a moment to honor victims and “unite our community in the fight against the fentanyl epidemic.” Mayor Julie Sayers read the proclamation into the record and closed by declaring the date for the city.
Kathy Moffitt, a community speaker at the podium, described local and regional fentanyl-related deaths and urged expanded access to naloxone, signage in pharmacies indicating naloxone availability, and youth outreach. “Narcan availability and communication are our best friends,” she said, and suggested youth-focused initiatives such as “Narcan Carry” and school posters to increase awareness. Moffitt also urged stiffer criminal penalties for repeat sellers of lethal substances.
Paul Davis, speaking for Johnson County MedAct and EMS partners, described operational steps the county and local agencies are taking. “On behalf of Johnson County MedAct and our EMS system partners, including the Lenexa Fire Department, I want to reaffirm our commitment to responding quickly to opioid overdoses, engaging our community in prevention, and expanding access to life saving naloxone, including leave-behind kits for families,” Davis said. He said MedAct helped advance House Bill 2,579 (signed into law) that allows EMTs and paramedics to distribute naloxone directly.
Davis also described follow-up efforts through community paramedicine to connect patients to resources and reduce repeat overdoses and said Johnson County is running youth-focused campaigns and free naloxone access libraries.
No formal council action was required; the event consisted of the mayor’s proclamation and invited remarks from community and public-safety representatives. The council then moved on to its regular agenda.
