Latest news with #BetterWithoutIt
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Coleman highlights youth drug prevention at national summit
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman highlighted a new youth-focused drug prevention campaign during his keynote address at the 14th annual Rx and Illicit Drug Summit in Nashville this week. The summit, launched by Operation UNITE and U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., draws thousands of policymakers, treatment professionals and law enforcement officials from across the country to share strategies for combating the drug epidemic, according to a news release from Coleman's office. During his remarks, Coleman outlined a new statewide initiative titled 'Better Without It,' which aims to steer Kentucky youth away from substance use by promoting healthy lifestyles through relatable role models. According to the release, the two-year, $3.6 million campaign is funded by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission and features student-athletes and social media influencers to engage young people between the ages of 13 and 26. 'This message is going out to where young people are—on social media, podcasts, and around college campuses,' Coleman said in the release. 'We're able to speak directly to a way that the data says will actually break through the noise and have a lifesaving impact.' The 'Better Without It' campaign was officially launched earlier this year in partnership with coaches and players from the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. The initiative leverages name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements to amplify its message across the state. Kentucky lawmakers including U.S. Reps. James Comer and Brett Guthrie also took part in the summit, joining Rogers for a panel moderated by Rogers' Chief of Staff, Karen Kelly. Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Lambert, Commonwealth's Attorney Jackie Steele, and Lt. Col. Jonathon Wesely of the Kentucky National Guard were among other state leaders presenting at the event. More than a million lives have been lost nationwide since the start of the drug crisis. Events like the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit, Coleman noted, are helping equip states with the tools needed to drive meaningful change.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why are Kentucky flags at half-staff on Thursday?
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday to honor a 36-year-old sergeant with the Department of Corrections who died while on duty. Sgt. George Ramirez, of LaGrange, worked for the Kentucky State Reformatory in Oldham County and died in a vehicle crash while heading to an off-site post on March 10. Why are Kentucky flags at half-staff on Thursday? Kentucky's 'Better Without It' anti-drug campaign recruits college basketball players to reach youth Vanceburg man killed, deputy injured in Lewis County shooting Ramirez's obituary says he was born in Chicago and started working at the reformatory in May. The obituary described him as a proud father to his son and a supportive husband. 'George was a devout Christian and was not afraid to express that. He was honest, and not willing to hold back his thoughts, and only asked for the same in return. He was man who helped others whenever he could. He was the man others could go to if they needed help with anything. He was a hard worker. He enjoyed playing jokes on others, and seeing their reactions to them. The best friend anyone could have. He cared deeply. He was so excited to continue building his life with his family and many plans for their future,' reads his obituary. A memorial service for Ramirez will be held Thursday. Kentucky among top 10 states Americans want to move to: research Lexington high schools ranked among Kentucky's best in 2025, according to Niche 6 day hikes for spring in Kentucky Individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies are encouraged to join in the tribute. Additional flag status information is available online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kentucky's 'Better Without It' anti-drug campaign recruits college basketball players to reach youth
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Tapping into his state's love of college basketball, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has recruited two players from top programs and given them roles as social media influencers to promote his drug prevention initiative aimed at young people. Social media videos released Tuesday feature University of Kentucky forward Trent Noah and University of Louisville guard J'Vonne Hadley. The separate messages bridge their schools' storied rivalry by offering a common theme — the importance of staying active and disciplined as part of the 'Better Without It' campaign. Their videos coincide with the start of the NCAA basketball tournament. 'March always brings madness to the commonwealth, and this year it also brings a lifesaving message: our young people are 'Better Without It,'' Coleman said. The Bluegrass State is using prevention and treatment efforts to fight back against a drug addiction epidemic. Kentucky's drug overdose death toll reached nearly 2,000 in 2023, with fentanyl — a powerful synthetic opioid — blamed as the biggest culprit. It marked a second straight annual decline in deaths, but the state's top leaders say the fight is far from over. Kentucky lawmakers last year created tougher penalties for fentanyl dealers when their illicit distribution results in a fatal overdose. Coleman launched the drug prevention campaign last month with pitches from college coaches. The messages from Noah and Hadley are a key part of Coleman's playbook. In a state where top college athletes become household names, he's enlisting some of them to deliver positive, anti-drug messages. 'To reach Kentucky's young people with an effective statewide drug prevention message, we need the right messengers," Coleman said in February. "That's why we're partnering with some of the biggest names in Kentucky's college athletics to tell ... young people they are truly better without it.' In his video, Noah says staying active 'helps me to be my best self by keeping me disciplined.' At day's end, when checking off all the things he's done that day, "it creates the best me,' he says. In a previous video, University of Kentucky women's basketball player Cassidy Rowe urges viewers to find pursuits that give them joy and that they can work toward. She said basketball taught her resilience, accountability and discipline — traits she applies to her everyday life. 'If you're feeling pressured, I would just encourage you to stay true to yourself and not let others influence you to become something that you're not,' she said in the video released last month. The drug prevention campaign encourages young people to be independent, make their own decisions and stay informed about the dangers of drug use, while highlighting the positive effects of a drug-free lifestyle, Coleman's office said. Last year, the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission approved Coleman's two-year, $3.6 million proposal to establish the youth education campaign. Through name, image and likeness deals and other partnerships, student-athletes, influencers and others will promote positive messages about a drug-free lifestyle, the office said.
Fox Sports
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Kentucky's 'Better Without It' anti-drug campaign recruits college basketball players to reach youth
Associated Press FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Tapping into his state's love of college basketball, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has recruited two players from top programs and given them roles as social media influencers to promote his drug prevention initiative aimed at young people. Social media videos released Tuesday feature University of Kentucky forward Trent Noah and University of Louisville guard J'Vonne Hadley. The separate messages bridge their schools' storied rivalry by offering a common theme — the importance of staying active and disciplined as part of the 'Better Without It' campaign. Their videos coincide with the start of the NCAA basketball tournament. 'March always brings madness to the commonwealth, and this year it also brings a lifesaving message: our young people are 'Better Without It,'' Coleman said. The Bluegrass State is using prevention and treatment efforts to fight back against a drug addiction epidemic. Kentucky's drug overdose death toll reached nearly 2,000 in 2023, with fentanyl — a powerful synthetic opioid — blamed as the biggest culprit. It marked a second straight annual decline in deaths, but the state's top leaders say the fight is far from over. Kentucky lawmakers last year created tougher penalties for fentanyl dealers when their illicit distribution results in a fatal overdose. Coleman launched the drug prevention campaign last month with pitches from college coaches. The messages from Noah and Hadley are a key part of Coleman's playbook. In a state where top college athletes become household names, he's enlisting some of them to deliver positive, anti-drug messages. 'To reach Kentucky's young people with an effective statewide drug prevention message, we need the right messengers," Coleman said in February. "That's why we're partnering with some of the biggest names in Kentucky's college athletics to tell ... young people they are truly better without it.' In his video, Noah says staying active 'helps me to be my best self by keeping me disciplined.' At day's end, when checking off all the things he's done that day, "it creates the best me,' he says. In a previous video, University of Kentucky women's basketball player Cassidy Rowe urges viewers to find pursuits that give them joy and that they can work toward. She said basketball taught her resilience, accountability and discipline — traits she applies to her everyday life. 'If you're feeling pressured, I would just encourage you to stay true to yourself and not let others influence you to become something that you're not,' she said in the video released last month. The drug prevention campaign encourages young people to be independent, make their own decisions and stay informed about the dangers of drug use, while highlighting the positive effects of a drug-free lifestyle, Coleman's office said. Last year, the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission approved Coleman's two-year, $3.6 million proposal to establish the youth education campaign. Through name, image and likeness deals and other partnerships, student-athletes, influencers and others will promote positive messages about a drug-free lifestyle, the office said. recommended in this topic
Associated Press
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Kentucky's ‘Better Without It' anti-drug campaign recruits college basketball players to reach youth
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Tapping into his state's love of college basketball, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has recruited two players from top programs and given them roles as social media influencers to promote his drug prevention initiative aimed at young people. Social media videos released Tuesday feature University of Kentucky forward Trent Noah and University of Louisville guard J'Vonne Hadley. The separate messages bridge their schools' storied rivalry by offering a common theme — the importance of staying active and disciplined as part of the 'Better Without It' campaign. Their videos coincide with the start of the NCAA basketball tournament. 'March always brings madness to the commonwealth, and this year it also brings a lifesaving message: our young people are 'Better Without It,'' Coleman said. The Bluegrass State is using prevention and treatment efforts to fight back against a drug addiction epidemic. Kentucky's drug overdose death toll reached nearly 2,000 in 2023, with fentanyl — a powerful synthetic opioid — blamed as the biggest culprit. It marked a second straight annual decline in deaths, but the state's top leaders say the fight is far from over. Kentucky lawmakers last year created tougher penalties for fentanyl dealers when their illicit distribution results in a fatal overdose. Coleman launched the drug prevention campaign last month with pitches from college coaches. The messages from Noah and Hadley are a key part of Coleman's playbook. In a state where top college athletes become household names, he's enlisting some of them to deliver positive, anti-drug messages. 'To reach Kentucky's young people with an effective statewide drug prevention message, we need the right messengers,' Coleman said in February. 'That's why we're partnering with some of the biggest names in Kentucky's college athletics to tell ... young people they are truly better without it.' In his video, Noah says staying active 'helps me to be my best self by keeping me disciplined.' At day's end, when checking off all the things he's done that day, 'it creates the best me,' he says. In a previous video, University of Kentucky women's basketball player Cassidy Rowe urges viewers to find pursuits that give them joy and that they can work toward. She said basketball taught her resilience, accountability and discipline — traits she applies to her everyday life. 'If you're feeling pressured, I would just encourage you to stay true to yourself and not let others influence you to become something that you're not,' she said in the video released last month. The drug prevention campaign encourages young people to be independent, make their own decisions and stay informed about the dangers of drug use, while highlighting the positive effects of a drug-free lifestyle, Coleman's office said. Last year, the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission approved Coleman's two-year, $3.6 million proposal to establish the youth education campaign. Through name, image and likeness deals and other partnerships, student-athletes, influencers and others will promote positive messages about a drug-free lifestyle, the office said.
