Addiction treatment now available to more than 1.4 million Kentuckians
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 16, 2024) – During today’s National Recovery Month event held at the state Capitol, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Calloway, Daviess, Fayette and Pulaski counties have been certified as Recovery Ready Communities. The state has now certified a total of 18 counties for establishing services to residents who are seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction in three different categories – prevention, treatment and recovery support – since the first county was announced in May of last year.
“We have now guaranteed that addiction services are available to a third of our state’s population,” Gov. Beshear said. “We won’t stop working until every life and family are saved from addiction, so we continue to encourage the remaining counites to identify gaps in services and to work with our administration to achieve certification. I am proud of the tens of thousands of Kentuckians who are in recovery, and we pray for their continued healing and growth.”
This announcement follows the Governor’s recent news that Kentucky saw a 9.8% decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2023, the commonwealth’s second consecutive annual decrease.
“Every day that we can certify another county as Recovery Ready means more and more Kentuckians are able to achieve recovery with access to peer support services, mental health treatment, addiction treatment, employment services and a stigma-free environment,” said Pam Darnall, chair of the Recovery Ready Communities Advisory Council. “I commend Calloway, Daviess, Fayette and Pulaski counties for joining in the state’s fight to reduce overdoses, eliminate addiction and save Kentucky families.”
The certification of Calloway, Daviess, Fayette and Pulaski counties will allow Kentuckians to make positive changes in their lives while filling much-needed jobs and contributing to the commonwealth’s record-breaking economic growth.
Daviess County is focused on drug prevention through their harm reduction programs, which includes syringe support services, as well excellent intergovernmental and interagency cooperation leading to local policy and funding for addiction intervention. Treatment providers serving the county make regular referrals amongst one another to avoid creating wait lists and ensuring Kentuckians who are ready to achieve recovery do not have to wait. Daviess County’s local judicial system has adopted a treatment-oriented approach, there are multiple emergency shelters with a variety of different treatment components and recovery housing is available to both men and women. The local Daviess County jail operates a model re-entry and work release program with support from the Kentucky Career Center, River Valley Behavioral Health and the Owensboro Community and Technical College. This wide range of recovery support, treatment and prevention makes Daviess County the ideal Recovery Ready Community.
“This designation highlights our commitment to the fight against substance use disorder. Through great collaboration, agencies in the public and private sector are providing resources aimed at prevention, treatment and recovery support,” said Daviess County Judge/Executive Charlie Castlen. “It’s going to be huge to say that we are a certified Recovery Ready community as we apply for state and federal grant funds. I want to applaud the Alliance for a Drug-Free Owensboro & Daviess County for overseeing this extensive application process and developing a strategic plan to address substance use in our community. This is but one more example of how we in Daviess County attempt to assist each of those we recognize as our neighbors.”
As the state’s second largest county by population, Fayette County has a robust mobile outreach program that reaches isolated populations and provides residents with harm reduction education and supplies, peer support services and addiction treatment on demand. The county offers multiple recovery meetings daily at a variety of different times to support all types of schedules, including support meetings for family members, with access to more than 10 behavioral health treatment providers. In 2018, Fayette County created an innovate and cost-saving emergency response to drug overdoses. The Community Paramedicine program pairs teams of firefighters, paramedics, social workers and police officers to reach high-risk populations and reduce ambulance trips to the emergency room, including rapid response to individuals who have overdosed and been revived with Narcan. Last year, the program responded to over 1,821 cases of nonfatal overdoses.
“I am proud of the work we’ve done in Fayette County that has led us to be recognized as a Recovery Ready Community,” said Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton. “We are committed to strong partnerships and innovative programming that supports those affected by substance use disorder.”
Pulaski County has been certified as a Recovery Ready Community for its robust and cooperative network of social service agencies that provide support to address issues around housing, food and transportation, and the use of an evidence-based prevention program in the local school district. The county offers extensive access to second chance employers for those who are in recovery or were previously incarcerated. Goodwill Industries of Kentucky operates an Opportunity Center in Somerset and partners with the Pulaski County Detention Center to expand work-release and re-entry services to the justice-involved population. Additionally, Volunteers of America operates a local recovery community center where Kentuckians can access recovery support meetings, peer support services and referrals for educational or employment support.
“Somerset is a community that is driven to be a Recovery Ready Community,” Somerset Mayor Alan Keck said. “Every citizen of our community deserves a second chance if they need one. We will continue to pursue compassion married with accountability as we work towards opportunities for those in recovery.”
Calloway County Health Department in conjunction with Four Rivers Behavioral Heath provides free access to naloxone, fentanyl test strips and wound care kits. The county also offers social service coordination between local agencies and nonprofits through the Calloway United Benevolent Services network. County residents also have access to primary care providers who incorporate behavioral health services such as access to medications for addiction into their routine clinic operations, which is reducing stigma and increasing access to mental health services. Calloway County has also expanded access to transitional housing, transportation assistance, emergency rental assistance and emergency housing options for those in recovery through the HOPEUnited Community Relief Program.
“I am proud to support the task force’s dedication to securing the KY Recovery Ready Certification for Calloway County,” said Calloway County Judge/Executive Kenny Imes. “This certification is a testament to our community’s resilience and commitment to fostering a supportive environment for those in recovery. By achieving this certification, we not only enhance our county’s reputation but also ensure that we are providing critical resources and support for individuals on their journey to recovery. It is a crucial step towards building a stronger, more compassionate community.”
To learn more and to apply for certification as a Recovery Ready Community, click here.
The Governor has continued to fight the state’s drug epidemic since his time as attorney general, when he led the nation in the number of individual opioid lawsuits filed by an attorney general. Now, Gov. Beshear is working to make sure the hundreds of millions of dollars in settlement funds go to support treatment and the communities impacted.
Kentucky leads the nation in the number of residential drug and alcohol treatment beds per capita.
In 2023, the state supported the distribution of more than 160,000 doses of Narcan. The state’s Treatment Access Program also allows those without health insurance to enter residential treatment. And last year, Gov. Beshear announced a new searchable website to help people in recovery find housing, FindRecoveryHousingNowKY.org.
The administration has also recorded the three lowest recidivism rates in over a decade. This year, Gov. Beshear announced a new website to support Kentuckians seeking second chances find a job, get an education or continue recovery. The site also connects business leaders with resources to help them hire second-chance talent.
Treatment Resources
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect you to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP (833-859-4357).
Information about treatment programs all across the commonwealth is available at FindHelpNowKy.org. Information on how to obtain the life-saving drug naloxone, which is used to reverse an opioid overdose, can be found at that website as well as at FindNaloxoneNowKy.org and FindMentalHealthNowKy.org.
Visit the Kentucky State Police website to find one of KSP’s 16 posts where those suffering from addiction can be paired with a local officer who will assist with locating an appropriate treatment program. The Angel Initiative is completely voluntary, and individuals will not be arrested or charged with any violations if they agree to participate in treatment.
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