FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 8, 2024) – Attorney General Russell Coleman announced today that he appointed Debbie Rains, of Louisville, to the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission to represent victims of the opioid crisis. Rains brings nearly four decades of teaching experience to the panel, as well as a personal connection to the Commission’s work. The Commission is tasked with distributing the Commonwealth’s share of approximately $900 million collected from opioid settlements.
“I’ve heard Debbie deliver her incredible prevention message, making a lifechanging impact on Kentucky’s young people. In honoring her son, Zac, she will bring an invaluable perspective to the Commission’s work to save lives from drug abuse in Kentucky. I’m grateful she accepted this appointment to serve,” said Attorney General Coleman.
In 2015, Rains’ son Zac, 24, passed away from a fentanyl overdose after a 10-year battle with addiction. Since then, she has channeled her loss into action, joining the Heroin Education Action Team (HEAT) with the U.S. Attorneys for the Western and Eastern Districts of Kentucky. The program focuses on drug education and prevention in places like schools, law enforcement trainings and addiction conferences. Rains has spoken to thousands about the danger of addiction.
“Addiction can happen to anyone, and we need to be open and honest about the threat if we’re going to stop it. I’m proud to join the Opioid Abatement Commission to invest in Kentucky’s lifesaving response to this crisis,” said Rains.
Previously, Rains was an elementary and middle school teacher in the Jessamine County Schools.
On September 26, General Coleman announced a lawsuit against Express Scripts, a major pharmacy benefit manager, for its role as a middleman in worsening the opioid crisis in Kentucky. On February 12, General Coleman announced a lawsuit against the Kroger Company, which was responsible for over 11% of all opioid pills dispensed in Kentucky, totaling hundreds of millions of doses flooding into communities without any reasonable safeguards.
On September 10, the Commission unanimously approved General Coleman’s proposal for a two-year, $3.6 million statewide, youth-focused prevention initiative. The research-backed effort will feature data-driven outreach to engage with young Kentuckians where they are, including on social media, streaming platforms, college campuses and through partnerships with influencers.
In addition to this appointment, the Commission’s membership includes:
- Chris Evans, of Louisville, Commission Executive Director;
- Mark Metcalf, of Lancaster, Kentucky State Treasurer;
- Eric Friedlander, of Louisville, Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services;
- Von Purdy, of Louisville, Vice President for Advancement and Community Engagement at Simmons College;
- Darren “Foot” Allen, of Mount Vernon, representing the law enforcement community;
- Jason Roop, Ph.D., of Campbellsville, Assistant Professor of Business and Theology at Campbellsville University;
- Van Ingram, of Frankfort, Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy;
- Dr. Patricia Freeman, of Lexington, Professor at University of Kentucky’s College of Pharmacy;
- State Representative Chris Fugate, of Chavies, non-voting member; and
- Karen Kelly, of Somerset, Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Hal Rogers (KY-05), non-voting member.