addiction

In a prison system rife with drugs, a new civil rights lawsuit accuses the Missouri Department of Corrections of punishing people for addiction, rather than treating it.

A new report finds that states with legalized sports betting aren’t doing enough to protect people from gambling trouble.

Nearly 40% of respondents to a 2022 Wyandotte County assessment said mental health was the biggest concern in the community. Several health care services will soon be offered at a facility in downtown Kansas City, Kansas.

City Council restricted the sale of 7-OH, a derivative of kratom that’s marketed as an energy booster. Public and professional opinions remain split over purported health benefits, potential addiction risks and the ease with which minors can get ahold of the products.

The Trump administration sent hundreds of letters Tuesday terminating federal grants supporting mental health and drug addiction services. The cuts could total as much as $2 billion.

Missouri has approved three recovery high schools to open in Kansas City, St. Louis and Cape Girardeau. The schools will help support students with their recovery from substance use while they earn their high school degree.

Kansas City’s Wellness Court is partnering with a local yoga studio to offer a program called “Healing Justice.” It combines yoga, meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce stress and recidivism among nonviolent offenders.

7-OH is sold as gummies, candies, imitation ice cream cones, liquid shots, tablets and powders. Kansas City-based Shaman Botanicals has been at the center of the drug's rise, and received a warning from the FDA.

Sports betting is expected to start in Missouri on Dec. 1. But some are concerned about the consequences of making gambling so easy to access. Plus: Beef is as expensive as it’s ever been, thanks to the high cost of cattle. When will prices come down?

A new three-part investigative series from The Kansas City Star highlights the rise of the drug 7-OH — a highly concentrated opioid-like substance derived from kratom — and the role of a Kansas City company in its growing popularity.

People trying to kick addiction should have access to medical detox programs, but these treatments aren’t widely offered in Kansas.

Addiction resources go unused if people aren’t willing to talk about substance use in the first place. A local nonprofit, First Call, is helping Kansas Citians find available support.