Latest news with #OfficeofDrugControlPolicy
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
KY overdose deaths decline by over 30 percent in 2024
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Governor Andy Beshear announced that overdose deaths in the commonwealth decreased for the third year in a row, with a 30.2% decrease in 2024 compared with the previous year. Officials say among black Kentucky residents, which had not previously seen a decrease, 170 died from a drug overdose, a decrease from 271 in 2023, marking a 37.3% decrease. According to the 2024 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, 1,410 Kentuckians lost their lives last year to a drug overdose. Here's a look at events from May 1 through 4, 2025 Gov. Beshear says fentanyl was present in 62.3% of overdose deaths, and methamphetamine was present in 50.8% of overdose deaths. The two continue to be the most prevalent drugs contributing to overdose deaths in the state. The report also indicates that most Kentucky age groups saw a decrease in overdose deaths, with the only increase being among those ages 75-84. 'I am thankful that more Kentuckians are alive and in recovery today compared with last year,' Gov. Beshear said. 'But we still mourn and grieve our 1,410 Kentuckians who lost their life last year to addiction and the many more who we lost before that. Every life lost is a child of God, and someone's mom, dad, son, daughter and loved one. We won't stop until every Kentuckian is saved from addiction.' Officials say in 2023, Kentucky reported a 9.8% decrease compared with 2022. In 2022, there was a decrease of 2.5% from 2021, marking the first year Kentucky saw a decrease in overdose deaths since 2018. By working together, the Governor said, Kentucky is saving lives. He credited the state's continued decline in overdose deaths to several factors including: More than $29.7 million was distributed in grant and pass-through funding from the Office of Drug Control Policy 170,000 doses of Narcan were distributed 84 syringe exchange program sites served 27,799 unique participants More than 142,310 Kentuckians received addiction services through Medicaid More than 17,390 Kentuckians received addiction treatment paid for by the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort More than 17,980 Kentuckians received recovery services (housing assistance, employment services, transportation, basic need services, etc.) in their community paid for by the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort 19 Kentuckians sought treatment through the Kentucky State Police Angel Initiative; More than 3,320 incoming calls were made to the KY HELP Call Center with more than 14,080 outgoing follow upcalls 21 counties are now certified as Recovery Ready Communities representing nearly 1.5 million Kentuckians Local woman to become principal of Dawson Springs Jr/Sr High 'Today's announcement is made possible by every state agency, local community, health department, addiction treatment program and advocate who has put politics aside and fought for our Kentuckians to obtain recovery. Thank you for moving Kentucky forward and doing this good work,' said Office of Drug Control Policy Executive Director Van Ingram. 'If you are a family member of one of the Kentuckians who lost their lives to an overdose last year, we are praying for you and will continue this work in your loved one's honor.' Officials say if anyone is struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect them to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP, or 833-859-4357. Information about treatment programs can be found here. Information on how to obtain naloxone, which is used to reverse an opioid overdose, can be found here and here. People can also turn to any Kentucky State Police post and take part in the Angel Initiative. The KSP says the Angel Initiative is completely voluntary, and individuals will not be arrested or charged with any violations if they agree to participate in treatment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kentucky fatal overdoses decreased again in 2024
Narcan is an opioid reversal treatment. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd). For the third year in a row, Kentucky saw a decrease in fatal drug overdoses, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday. Still, 1,410 Kentuckians died from an overdose last year, according to the 2024 Drug Overdose Fatality Report, which was released Thursday. 'That's 1,410 too many people that we lost,' Beshear said. 'These are people's friends and family members, each one a child of God taken from us far too soon.' In 2023, Kentucky had 1,984 overdose deaths, which was a decrease from the 2,135 lost in 2022. Black Kentuckians also saw a decrease in 2024, a reversal from previous years. In 2024, 170 Black Kentuckians died from a drug overdose, a decrease from 259 in 2022 and 264 in 2023. The report does not break down deaths across all races. It shows 1,216 of the 2024 deaths were white Kentuckians, 170 were Black and 24 were of an 'other' race. This decrease means 'that this good news has come for all of our Kentucky communities,' Beshear said. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, is still a key culprit in killing Kentuckians. Fentanyl was present in 62% of the 2024 deaths and methamphetamine was present in 51%, according to the report. 'Those two continue to be the most prevalent and ultimately most deadly drugs found in overdoses,' Beshear said. The counties with the highest rates of fatal drug overdoses were Lee, Knott, Breathitt, Powell and Estill, according to the report — all Eastern Kentucky counties. The age range most affected were Kentuckians 35-44, with 379 deaths in that age range. Five children aged 4 or under died from drug overdose in 2024; fewer than 5 died between the ages of 5-14. Van Ingram, the executive director for the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, said 'we still lost 1,400 Kentuckians, and so our work's not finished, not by a long shot, it's just time to get back to work.' Beshear cited prevention efforts such as Narcan distribution, syringe exchange programs and treatment recovery programs in driving the numbers down. The report says that for 2024: $29,754,033 was distributed in grant and pass-through funding from the Office of Drug Control Policy. 170,000 doses of Narcan were distributed. 84 syringe exchange program sites served 27,799 unique participants. 142,312 Kentuckians received addiction services through Medicaid. 17,399 Kentuckians received treatment paid by Kentucky Opioid Response Effort. 17,984 Kentuckians received recovery services like house assistance, employment services, transportation and basic need services in their community paid by Kentucky Opioid Response Effort. 3,329 incoming calls were made to the KY HELP Call Center with 14,087 outgoing follow up calls. 21 counties now certified as Recovery Ready Communities representing 1,495,518 Kentuckians. Kentuckians living with addiction can call Kentucky's help line at 833-859-4357. Narcan, which can help reverse overdoses, is available at pharmacies for sale and through some health departments and outreach programs for free. The legislature decriminalized fentanyl test strips in 2023, meaning Kentuckians can use them to legally check substances for the presence of fentanyl. 'Today's news should be very meaningful to all Kentuckians, and it ought to tell us that an epidemic that arose in our time, we should be able to defeat in our time,' Beshear said. 'This is not something we should leave for our kids and our grandkids. This is something we should continue to strive to do better, better, better at addressing.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
DoHS data demonstrates further reduction in overdose-related deaths statewide
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP), continues to see a reduction in overdose deaths statewide. According to a press release, current data demonstrates a 41.7 percent decrease in overdose deaths from January to August 2024 in comparison to the same time frame in 2023, with the expected reduction rate to remain above 35 percent as pending cases are resolved. Yearly figures for the 12 months ending in August 2024 reveal a 32.70 percent decline in overdose deaths in the Mountain State, surpassing the nationwide average of 23.7 percent. This can be demonstrated as 386 more people alive today, working towards recovery and stability, the release stated. Major Disaster Declaration approved by President Trump for counties in West Virginia This progress reflects our commitment to expanding prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts, ensuring individuals, families, and communities have the resources they need to address the substance use crisis. While we celebrate this reduction, we remain focused on sustaining these efforts and expanding access to vital resources. Dr. Stephen Loyd | Director, Office of Drug Control Policy, DoHS As part of the efforts undertaken by the agency, DoHS helped in sponsoring the 2025 West Virginia Polysubstance Summit. The event offered the opportunity for experts, advocates, and professionals to gather and talk about the challenges of treating and assisting individuals with substance use disorder. In working with organizations throughout the state, the summit provided a platform to explore advancements in treatment, prevention, and strategies for recovery. The unprecedented participation in this year's summit highlights the shared urgency and dedication to addressing substance use disorders. The data revealing a 32.79 percent reduction in overdose deaths in West Virginia, exceeding the national average, highlights the success of our collaborative, data-informed strategies. Christina Mullins | Deputy Secretary, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, DoHS Significant decrease in overdose deaths reported in West Virginia Residents facing challenges such as addiction or mental health struggles are encouraged to seek help by reaching out to HELP4WV, a helpline that offers immediate support, confidential help, and referrals to resources. For more information regarding the West Virginia Department of Human Services, visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
