Early data show 7.9% fall in overdose deaths in Ky. in 2023 was much more than national drop, but number of ODs remained high

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention graph; to enlarge, click on it; to download, right-click.

By Melissa Patrick

Kentucky Health News

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest provisional overdose-death data say drug-overdose deaths in Kentucky fell by 7.9 percent in 2023, more than the national decline of 3%. 

Morgan Hall, communications director for the state Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, cautioned that the CDC's numbers are predictions and are subject to change and said the state Office of Drug Control Policy will release official numbers in a couple of weeks. 

Gov. Andy Beshear said in an email provided by the cabinet, "By working together, Kentucky is making great progress in leading those with addiction to recovery. We will release the 2023 report in the next coming weeks and will not stop fighting until every life is saved." 

Predicted provisional counts represent estimates of the number of deaths, with adjustments for incomplete reporting that always occurs. 

Despite the decline in overdose deaths, the numbers remain high. 

In Kentucky, the provisional report shows that 2,125 people died from a drug overdose in 2023, down from 2,309 in 2022. Nationally, 107,543 people died from a drug overdose in 2023, down from 111,029 in 2022. 

During this same period, all but one of the seven states adjoining Kentucky saw varying declines in overdose deaths. West Virginia saw a 1.3% increase, to 1,441 overdose deaths in 2023.  

CDC graphic shows ODs by drug class; click on it for a larger version or right-click to download

Several states saw drug-overdose fatality declines of 15% or more, including Kansas (16%), Indiana (17.9%), Maine (15.9%) and Nebraska (24.7%), according to the CDC report.  

And 16 states saw increases in drug overdose deaths, with the highest increases in Alaska (44.1%), Oregon (30%), Nevada (28.9%) and Washington (27.6%).

Like the rest of the nation, most of Kentucky's 2023 overdose fatalities were linked to fentanyl and other opioids. This was followed by psychostimulants (including methamphetamine), cocaine, and natural and semi-synthetic opioids (including, methadone, oxycodone or hydrocodone). 

Kentuckians who are struggling with drug abuse or who are concerned about a family member's substance use can search for treatment providers at www.findhelpnowky.org or contact the KY HELP Statewide Call Center at 1-8338-KY-HELP (1-833-859-4357).

Bill to exclude fentanyl test strips from legal definition of drug paraphernalia awaits initial passage by the Kentucky House

Image from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

By Sarah Ladd
Kentucky Lantern

Fentanyl test strips would no longer be considered drug paraphernalia in Kentucky under a bipartisan bill that the House Judiciary Committee approved Wednesday, on a 17-0 vote with three passes.

A revised version of House Bill 353, sponsored by Reps. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, and Rachel Roberts, D-Newport, is posted for passage by the full House.

It says “Narcotic drug testing products utilized in determining whether a controlled substance contains a synthetic opioid or its analogues shall not be deemed drug paraphernalia under this section,” unless the prioduct “is utilized in conjunction with the importation, manufacture, or selling of fentanyl or a fentanyl analogue.” It also says any such product with “residual or trace amounts of a synthetic opioid or an analogue thereof shall not be prosecuted as possession of a controlled substance.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says fentanyl test strips that can detect the presence of fentanyl in pills and other drugs within minutes, and thus help prevent overdoses.

But treating them as drug paraphernalia has dissuaded public agencies and groups that work with drug users from purchasing and distributing them, for fear that doing so would land them in legal trouble, says Kentucky Smart on Crime, a coalition working for justice reforms that address inequities and improve public health. Possession of drug paraphernalia in Kentucky is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and $500 fine.

Drug dealers mix fentanyl with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA, because it takes very little fentanyl to produce a high, making it a cheaper option, says the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The risk of overdose increases when people don’t realize they’re taking fentanyl.

“Test strips and a strong education campaign are evidenced-based practices that can help stem the tide of deaths by fentanyl,” Jennifer Hancock, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Mid-states, said in support of the bill. “We can’t put people on the road to recovery if they’re dead.”

VOA noted that fentanyl played a role in 73% of the 2,250 overdose fatalities Kentucky recorded in 2021, the last year for which a total is available.The state has one of the nation’s worst rates of fatal overdoses.

Other steps people can take to lower overdose risk, according to the CDC, are:

• Keep Narcan handy.
• Do not mix drugs.
• Don’t take drugs alone.
• Find a treatment center near you at https://findtreatment.gov or call 800-662-4357.