The opioid epidemic continues to take an enormous toll both nationwide and in Kansas, with the number of drug overdose deaths nationally surging since 1999 and the numbers of deaths in the state steadily rising in recent years.

Kansas has worked to address the opioid problem by reaching multiple legal settlements with and bringing accountability to major pharmaceutical companies, distributors and related firms that fueled the crisis. In 2021, the Kansas Legislature passed the Kansas Fights Addiction Act, authorizing the state to use money recovered by the Attorney General’s Office through the settlements to tackle substance use disorders (SUD) and help ensure prevention and treatment services are provided throughout the state.

The Kansas opioid settlements are split into two funds – 75% going to the KFA fund and 25% to the Municipalities Fight Addiction Fund (MFAF), with $200,000 dedicated annually to K-TRACS, the Kansas prescription drug monitoring program. The KFA Act directs all recovery to opioid and SUD abatement. The MFAF 25% is distributed evenly across the 205 participating counties and municipalities. Per the KFA Act, the 75% of settlement dollars allocated to KFA is administered through a grant review board.

The enacting legislation authorized the attorney general to create the 11-member Kansas Fights Addiction Act Grant Review Board. The board oversees the KFA grant program, which provides funding opportunities for eligible state agencies, local and county governments and nonprofit organizations that provide services in Kansas for the purpose of preventing, reducing, treating, or otherwise abating or remediating SUDs.

Sunflower Foundation serves as the administrator for the grant program and provides other support services to the KFA board. The first two rounds of grants, totaling more than $10 million for 59 projects, were awarded in 2023.