The Cherokee County Attorney's Office is committed to keeping the public informed about safety issues affecting our community. Below are resources on topics we see regularly and encourage residents to know about.
Fentanyl Awareness
Illicit fentanyl has become one of the most serious drug threats in the country. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 100 times stronger than morphine, and it is being pressed into counterfeit pills designed to look like legitimate prescription medications. A single pill can be enough to cause an overdose death.
Warning signs of an opioid overdose: slow or stopped breathing, unresponsiveness, pinpoint pupils, pale or bluish skin. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone (Narcan) if available.
Under the Kansas Good Samaritan law, a person who calls for emergency help during an overdose may be protected from certain drug-possession charges. Do not hesitate to call 911 if someone's life is in danger.
Scam Alerts
Phone, email, and text-message scams frequently target Cherokee County residents — particularly older adults. Some of the most common scams we hear about:
"You have an outstanding warrant" calls
A caller claims to be from the Sheriff's Office or County Attorney and threatens arrest unless the person pays an immediate fine, often by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. The Cherokee County Attorney's Office will never call you demanding payment to resolve a warrant. Hang up and, if you have concerns, contact the Sheriff's Office directly using a number you look up yourself.
IRS / Social Security / "government" calls
Scammers impersonate federal agencies and threaten arrest, deportation, or loss of benefits. Legitimate federal agencies do not demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
"Grandparent" scams
A caller claims to be a grandchild in trouble (arrested, hospitalized, stranded) and begs for money to be sent urgently. Hang up and call your family member directly to verify.
Romance and lottery scams
Online "friends" or "partners" who ask for money, or notifications that you have won a lottery or sweepstakes you never entered, are almost always scams.
Mandated Reporters
Under Kansas law, certain professionals are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect, including physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists, social workers, teachers, school administrators, child care providers, law enforcement officers, and others.
Suspected child abuse or neglect should be reported to the Kansas Protection Report Center:
Child abuse/neglect hotline (24/7): 1-800-922-5330
Reports of suspected abuse or neglect of adults (elderly or vulnerable adults) may also be made to this same number.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, help is available 24/7.
- Safehouse Crisis Center: 800-794-9148 (24/7) · text 620-670-0754
- CHC/SEK Forensic & Victim Services: 620-240-5090
- Kansas DV/SA Hotline: 1-888-363-2287
- National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
For more information on victim rights, protection orders, compensation, and Safe at Home address confidentiality, see our Victim Resources page.
Reporting a Crime
If you witness or are the victim of a crime, please report it to law enforcement. The County Attorney's Office cannot accept crime reports directly.
- Emergency: dial 911
- Cherokee County Sheriff's Office (for unincorporated areas)
- Your local city police department (Columbus, Galena, Baxter Springs, and other cities)