Stafford County Health Department - Kansas

06/20/2026

Kratom will be illegal to possess, purchase, or sell in Kansas starting July 1, 2026.
If you currently use kratom, now is the time to plan for a safe transition and get the support you may need.

If you are unsure of resources available to you, your family member, or your friend for help with substance use, the following website provides information of providers in our area that can help:
https://www.dccca.org/kansas-sud-resources/

For immediate assistance:
Call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Hotline,
Statewide Substance Use Treatment Referral Line
866-645-8216, select option 2 at the menu

06/19/2026

From e-cigarettes to oral ni****ne pouches, new products are designed to hook youth and hide in plain sight. If someone in your household uses ni****ne products, be sure that they are stored away from children to prevent ni****ne poisoning.

For more information on how to***co is changing, visit https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2112/Tobacco-is-Changing

06/19/2026

Healthy habits start early. Encouraging young men to prioritize physical health, mental well-being, healthy relationships and substance-free lifestyles can support lifelong wellness. This Men's Health Month, let's continue building healthier futures for Kansas youth.

06/19/2026

Strokes can happen to anyone, at any age. Recognizing the warning signs of stroke can help you take action in the moments that matter. Learn the signs of stroke and how to lower your risk.

Signs of stroke and stroke prevention: https://www.stroke.org/en/stroke-facts

06/19/2026

Tick season is starting in Kansas and will continue through early fall, bringing increased risk of tickborne diseases. The most common illnesses include Ehrlichiosis, Spotted Fever Rickettsioses, Lyme disease and Tularemia. Tickborne disease risk can vary depending on where you are in Kansas and the time of year. Certain ticks are more active in specific regions and seasons such as the Lone star tick, shown, which is a common tick and an aggressive biter that can spread ehrlichiosis, tularemia and Alpha-gal syndrome (the red meat allergy).

To learn more about these diseases, tick bite prevention and more visit: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2031/Vector-Borne-Arboviral-Diseases

06/18/2026

Every week, at least 110 children are injured or killed because a driver could not see them while backing up or slowly pulling forward in parking lots and driveways. These predictable and preventable tragedies are called frontovers and backovers.

What is a blindzone? A blindzone is an area where a child cannot be seen by the driver of a vehicle. Every single vehicle has a blindzone in front, on the sides, and behind the vehicle. Even adults can fall victim to a driver not being able to see them.

Quick Facts:
*Children age 5 and under are the most at risk
*60-70% involve a parent or close relative is behind the wheel
*Over 60% of backovers and 75% of frontovers involve a large vehicle (truck, van, SUV)
*Many times, it is a parent or loved one behind the wheel

For more information and tips to prevent backovers and frontovers visit:
https://www.kidsandcars.org/driveway-and-parking-lot-safety?utm_source=Child+Care+Aware+of+Kansas&utm_campaign=6339270ef0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_07_31_06_29_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-425fdcd961-295882346

06/18/2026

The Farmers Market is today from 4pm - 6pm on the East side of the Square in St. John. Shop from local growers and makers!

Attention vendors! The Farmers Market kicks off tomorrow. Need an application? Swing by the Extension office. Otherwise, we can't wait to see everyone tomorrow at 4 pm at the St. John City Square for a fantastic start!

06/18/2026

Not all heroes wear capes. You can be a hero in your community by learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training. In the event of cardiac arrest, CPR and AED use can double and in some cases triple a person's chance for survival.

Find an American Heart Association training near you: cpr.heart.org

06/17/2026

Kratom will be illegal to possess, purchase, or sell in Kansas starting July 1, 2026.
If you currently use kratom, now is the time to plan for a safe transition and get the support you may need.

Legal Consequences – Beginning July 1, 2026, Kratom and 7-OH will be classified as Schedule I controlled substances under Kansas law. The possession, sale, or purchase of these substances may constitute a criminal offense and could result in penalties including fines and imprisonment.

Kratom, and a derivative known as 7-OH, are unregulated supplements that some people use to help manage stress, pain, energy, or opioid withdrawal.
However, it can also be highly addictive and cause severe withdrawal. There are no FDA-approved uses for kratom and 7-OH at this time.

Switching from kratom or 7-OH to another opioid or pain medication on your own (without a doctor) is extremely dangerous. It greatly increases your risk of overdose and death, especially due to unknown strength or possible fentanyl contamination.

Healthcare providers can help you manage withdrawal symptoms and support your recovery.

For more information, visit: https://www.dccca.org/kratom/

06/16/2026

Do you need additional support feeding your family this summer?

The SUN Bucks program provides a one-time benefit of $120 per year for each eligible child to help families purchase groceries during the summer months. Families have 122 days from the date of issuance to spend SUN Bucks. Learn more and see if your child is eligible: SUNBucks.dcf.ks.gov.

SUN Meals provides children with meals at sites around the state throughout the summer. Dates and times vary by site. Learn more and find the SUN Meals site closest to you: https://ksde.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c59a8dfe7b5046aa893d32296c946f53.

SUN Meals is a program administered by the Kansas State Department of Education.