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DECA warns of naloxone funding loss and a persistent male social‑detox gap; commissioners ask for more data
Summary
DECA told commissioners a federal grant that funded naloxone purchases will end Sept. 30 and could create distribution stress; partners also said social detox beds for men remain scarce (DECA: 76 served last year, only six men), and commissioners asked staff to return with clearer budgets, data and proposals for any new partners.
At the Douglas County budget hearing, DECA and other partners raised two pressing service concerns: a looming reduction in naloxone purchasing funds after a federal grant ends and a persistent shortage of social detox capacity for men.
Lori Alvarado, DECA’s chief executive officer, told the commission that a federal grant that supported naloxone purchasing is ending Sept. 30 and "The funding's ended." She said DECA is pursuing alternative streams, including conversations with the attorney‑general’s office around settlement funds and applications to Kansas Fights Addiction, but cautioned that without additional funding there will likely be a "significant stress point" in the next six to 12 months.
County staff and DECA highlighted a recent law change that allows administration of naloxone past its labeled expiration for an extended period; speakers said the county is doing public education to encourage preservation of existing stock. The transcript did not provide a statutory citation for that law; staff described it only as a July 1 change allowing extended administration.
Commissioners and partners also focused on social detox services. DECA reported it served 76 people in the social detox project last year but that only six were men, underscoring an ongoing shortfall in male detox bed capacity. Partners said Mirror and DECA are collaborating with housing and other partners to find solutions; commissioners emphasized that no new partner will be added without returning to the commission for approval.
Commissioners pressed partners for clearer data and budget detail (including where county dollars are braided with state, federal and other county funds). DECA committed to provide program data for the school‑based prevention project this week. County staff will reconcile a DECA spreadsheet vs. narrative discrepancy and will bring any proposals involving new partners or contract changes back to the commission for action.
Next steps: staff and partners will supply the requested data and clarified budget figures; no votes were taken at this hearing.
