According to Beshear’s office, 35 counties have earned the Recovery Ready designation since the initiative launched in 2023, giving 1.9 million Kentuckians access to addiction treatment, recovery support and fewer workforce barriers. The program evaluates how well a city or county supports people with substance use disorders.
With the addition of these four counties, another 219,000 Kentuckians will have access to drug and alcohol addiction assistance.
“By certifying four more counties as Recovery Ready Communities, including the commonwealth’s third-largest city, we are ensuring that every Kentuckian can get the addiction treatment and recovery resources they deserve to live a full, healthy life,” Beshear said.
Beshear’s office outlined several steps Kentucky has taken in 2025 to reduce addiction:
• Overdose deaths dropped for the third straight year, falling 30.2% in 2024 compared to previous years.
• The administration moved to classify 7-hydroxymitragynine as a Schedule I narcotic, making it illegal to sell, possess or distribute isolated or concentrated forms of 7-OH.
• By late October, Kentucky State Police had seized nearly $9 million in drugs, including over 5,500 grams of fentanyl, nearly 32,000 grams of cocaine and more than 102,000 grams of methamphetamine.
• Kentucky State Police completed Operation Summer Heat 2.0, targeting suspected drug networks and leading to 197 arrests.
• In September, more than $1.4 million in federal grant funds were distributed to nine state and local agencies through the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to fight drug trafficking.
Anyone struggling with addiction, or who knows someone who is, can call 833-8KY-HELP (833-859-4357).
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Leave a Comment