University of Kansas researchers present statewide substance‑use needs assessment, prioritize MOUD expansion, stigma reduction and data tools

Janine Heron, a researcher with the Center for Public Partnerships and Research (CPPR) at the University of Kansas, told the Sunflower board that CPPR’s statewide needs assessment found “nearly 1 in 5 Kansas adults” meet DSM‑5 criteria for a substance‑use disorder and that the state’s response is fragmented.

The assessment — built from community meetings across all 105 counties, national datasets and claims/pharmacy data — identified six priority areas the researchers say should guide funding and policy: strengthening community‑driven health efforts, reducing stigma, prioritizing prevention of drug use and overdoses, expanding consistent access to high‑quality SUD services, normalizing continuous care models beyond initial treatment, and ensuring long‑term programmatic and financial sustainability.

CPPR recommended the board prioritize rapid lifesaving steps such as expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), improving emergency response linkages (including co‑responder models that pair behavioral health responders with first responders) and investing in data and cross‑sector coordination. “MOUD, especially when combined with behavioral health and support services, is really the — we know by far the best way to reduce loss of life,” said Solka/Silke Foniz Navai, an associate researcher at CPPR.

Why it matters: the report finds gaps between need and treatment. CPPR cited the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimate that nearly 395,000 Kansans meet criteria for substance‑use disorder and that young adults (18–25) had the highest rates (about 29 percent). CPPR also noted that 95 percent of people who met criteria either did not recognize it or said they did not feel they needed treatment. In addition, CPPR reported 615 Kansas overdose deaths in 2023.

Key findings and recommended levers

- MOUD access: CPPR found medical detoxification and MOUD initiation remain rare in many counties. Fewer than 5 percent of people with opioid use disorder receive MOUD in Kansas, the group said. Researchers pointed to models from other states — including emergency‑department buprenorphine starts and pharmacist‑led initiation in states such as New Mexico and Idaho — as examples Kansas could adapt.

- Workforce and settings: the assessment documented severe behavioral‑health workforce shortages and burnout. CPPR recommended expanding the role of peer specialists, engaging nurse practitioners and pharmacists, and building primary‑care linkages to SUD care.

- Co‑responder and mobile units: evidence from other jurisdictions shows co‑responder teams and mobile MOUD units can reduce repeat crises and connect people to treatment. CPPR urged pilots and local collaborations, noting many people refuse transport after overdose and other barriers to accessing care.

- Data and county profiles: CPPR created county profiles and a Substance‑Use Risk & Resilience Index (drivers and protective factors) to help local communities prioritize interventions. The team also built an ArcGIS visualization and an interactive dashboard (using commercial claims/pharmacy data) to help officials see county‑level risk, workforce and service availability.

- Stigma and public communications: researchers recommended a broad anti‑stigma campaign using local stories and peer voices, plus targeted approaches for youth and specific outreach channels (barbers, salons, employers) that have worked in other small jurisdictions.

How CPPR recommends the board use the findings

CPPR presented the materials as practical decision‑support: validate the board’s high‑level priorities, choose a small set of near‑term strategies (for example: MOUD expansion + co‑responder pilots + strengthened data/reporting), then design RFPs that require cross‑sector collaboration, baseline measures and data sharing. Janine Heron said the CPPR team expects many local variations and urged the board to fund multiyear initiatives while preserving a small share of short‑term innovation grants for pilot projects.

Board discussion and next steps

Board members asked about sustainability, how to prioritize awards across 105 counties and how to keep the county profiles current. CPPR noted the dashboard and profiles are a point‑in‑time product (April 30, 2025) built from multiple sources including IQVIA claims/pharmacy data and that renewing/updating the tool would require data agreements and ongoing support. CPPR offered to share the ArcGIS visualization with the board after data‑vendor approvals are completed.

Janine Heron concluded: “We kept a bias for action,” and outlined that CPPR and Sunflower staff can help shape RFP language, performance measures and technical assistance to help communities apply for funds and implement the priority strategies.

The board did not take a formal action to adopt the report at the meeting but staff said adoption is being considered at a future meeting and that county profiles will be shared with subdivisions participating in grant programs.

Ending

CPPR left the board with practical tools — county profiles, an index of 17 predictive drivers, an interactive map and a large set of strategy options — and recommended the board validate priorities, then design RFPs that balance demonstrated practices with space for local innovation. CPPR offered to support further refinement and technical assistance as Sunflower crafts funding priorities.