Like many Midwestern states, Kansas has a lower incidence of drug abuse than the national average—but a higher rate of alcohol dependency among its citizens. Per a 2008 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), alcohol dependence in young people aged 12-25 is above the national average and climbing. Parents should not become complacent about drugs, however; the same report indicates that while Kansas remains slightly below the average for drug use among young people, the numbers are climbing year over year as more and more illicit drugs of every type creep into the state.

Treatment for drug and alcohol abuse in Kansas is mainly conducted through 236 (as of 2006) drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation centers located in the state. Almost half of these are private nonprofit facilities and 85 are private for-profit. Most (96%) offer outpatient services; 37 facilities also offer residential care, giving families and individuals choices when evaluating treatment modalities. Some addictions can be managed via outpatient care; for others, removal of the addict from the enabling environment is often required, or physical debilitation from prolonged abuse is such that inpatient treatment is necessary. Kansas families are fortunate to find both types of care available, and that their options are not limited strictly to local public or private drug and alcohol treatment programs. In Kansas, 50% of all rehab facilities receive public funding, and 41% contract their services to managed care organizations. Families should be especially careful, therefore, when evaluating programs, to ensure that the facility, whether local or not, is sufficiently staffed and funded to treat the number of patients walking through its doors. Over 15,000 people sought treatment in Kansas in 2006 alone.

Experience with the particular addiction is also very important. Because Kansas has a longstanding acquaintance with alcohol dependency, most drug and alcohol rehab facilities in Kansas will have experience with this type of addiction. Meth is a much newer problem, as is addiction to Oxycontin, the most widely abused pharmaceutical drug in Kansas. Only five Kansas rehab centers offer opioid treatment, and only eight are certified (as of 2006) to administer buprenorphine for opiate addiction. Those seeking treatment should be aware that not all drug and alcohol treatment programs are the same.

Throughout the state, adults and juveniles alike are exposed to the presence of cocaine, crack, crystal meth, club drugs, and most especially marijuana. The charts below note a disturbing trend that should alert any Kansas parent to the threats facing their children. The rate of drug abuse among school-age children is higher than among adults.

In this day and age, “rehab” isn’t just for other people; just about anyone could find themselves unexpectedly needing to assess the merits of drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in Kansas, or elsewhere, at any time.