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| Ky. Health News map shows counties in HEALing Communities Study |
The 16 counties are in the HEALing Communities Study (Helping End Addiction Long-term), funded by an $87 million grant, UK's largest ever. More than 500 units of Narcan have already been distributed, the state said.
“I have witnessed firsthand how Narcan can save the life of someone who has overdosed, and my administration remains committed to providing this life-saving medicine,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in the release.
People interested in getting Narcan must watch a nine-minute training video, answer a few brief questions and submit a mailing address. To receive a free dose, click here. Participation is confidential, and personal information is not shared with other agencies, the state release said.
Kentucky is one of four states in the national study funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to investigate how tools for preventing and treating opioid misuse and opioid-use disorder are most effective locally. A major goal of the study is to expand access to Narcan to help prevent and stop opioid overdoses, the release said.
“We appreciate this partnership with HEAL to provide life-saving medication to our clients,” said corrections department Division of Addiction Services Director Sarah G. Johnson. “This program is essential, along with making sure people have access to treatment for their opioid use disorder and are able to work toward recovery.”
HEALing Communities Study Co-Investigator Carrie Oser said, “We are grateful to DOC for their partnership in reducing opioid overdose deaths. It’s well-documented that overdose education combined with naloxone saves lives.”
The state Office of Drug Control Policy also offers free Narcan to law-enforcement agencies, and assists Kentuckians with locating a Narcan dispenser. The office's 2020 Overdose Fatality Report said more than 1,964 Kentuckians died from overdoses in 2020, a 49% increase from 2019.
“I have witnessed firsthand how Narcan can save the life of someone who has overdosed, and my administration remains committed to providing this life-saving medicine,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in the release.
People interested in getting Narcan must watch a nine-minute training video, answer a few brief questions and submit a mailing address. To receive a free dose, click here. Participation is confidential, and personal information is not shared with other agencies, the state release said.
Kentucky is one of four states in the national study funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to investigate how tools for preventing and treating opioid misuse and opioid-use disorder are most effective locally. A major goal of the study is to expand access to Narcan to help prevent and stop opioid overdoses, the release said.
“We appreciate this partnership with HEAL to provide life-saving medication to our clients,” said corrections department Division of Addiction Services Director Sarah G. Johnson. “This program is essential, along with making sure people have access to treatment for their opioid use disorder and are able to work toward recovery.”
HEALing Communities Study Co-Investigator Carrie Oser said, “We are grateful to DOC for their partnership in reducing opioid overdose deaths. It’s well-documented that overdose education combined with naloxone saves lives.”
The state Office of Drug Control Policy also offers free Narcan to law-enforcement agencies, and assists Kentuckians with locating a Narcan dispenser. The office's 2020 Overdose Fatality Report said more than 1,964 Kentuckians died from overdoses in 2020, a 49% increase from 2019.
For more information on the study’s research on the impact community intervention has on reducing overdose deaths in Kentucky, click here.
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