by GIL McCLANAHAN LOUISA, Ky. (WCHS) — To combat a growing number of fake addiction recovery houses in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear recently signed a new law that requires recovery houses to follow quality standards. Supporters said the goal is to make sure those recovering from addiction actually receive the care they[Read More…]
Author: Kentucky Recovery News
Beshear outlaws tianeptine known as ‘gas station heroin’
By LANTERN STAFF Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday issued an emergency regulation classifying tianeptine, known as “gas station heroin,” as a Schedule 1 controlled drug. In some countries the drug is prescribed in low doses to treat depression and anxiety. The drug is not approved in the United States and in higher doses produces[Read More…]
Kentucky AG stops in Greenup during ‘Fight Fentanyl Operation’ tour
By Lane Ball GREENUP, KY (WOWK) – Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R-KY) made a stop in Greenup County on his Fight Fentanyl Operation tour across the Commonwealth. Local leaders, addiction recovery officials and concerned residents gathered at the Jesse Stuart Lodge in the Greenbo Lake State Resort Park Wednesday afternoon. Watch[Read More…]
Louisville officials approve funds to hire overdose quick response team members
Kentucky’s opioid settlement will be putting $85,000 toward two new peer support specialists to join the quick response team. More Videos Author: Jim Stratman LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Health and Wellness officials say that the real life experience that peer support specialists can bring to their outreach programs are invaluable. Community Health[Read More…]
Louisville group hosts Narcan training session in effort to slow overdose deaths
By Molly Jett LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A training seminar was held to teach people how to administer Naloxone, also known as Narcan, in Louisville on Tuesday night. The group 502 Revolution held a training session with Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition on how to administer Narcan on Baxter Avenue. Nearly 2,000 Kentuckians[Read More…]
As opioids overdose deaths keep rising, report urges lawmakers to develop new approaches
BY: ASHLEY MURRAY WASHINGTON — Lawmakers should view America’s staggering opioid crisis, including the rise of illicit fentanyl, through an “ecosystems” approach, argues a massive RAND Corporation report published last week. That means they should examine the gaps and interconnections among emergency response, data collection, education, treatment, housing and law enforcement, the report[Read More…]
Inmates with opioid addiction report peer navigators are crucial for successful community reentry
by Rutgers University Recently incarcerated people with opioid use disorder have trust in working with peer support specialists who recovered from addiction and faced similar life experiences, according to a Rutgers study. The study, published in the journal Psychiatric Services, found that peer support specialists were most valued for providing emotional and community-based[Read More…]
Fentanyl accounts for a majority of fatal overdoses. But ERs aren’t testing for it.
After her son’s death in 2018, Juli Shamash began advocating for legislation that would require hospitals to test for fentanyl. Tyler’s Law took effect in California this year. By Maura Barrett and Bianca Seward LOS ANGELES — When Tyler Shamash survived a drug overdose at 19, his mother, Juli, asked his doctor several[Read More…]
Lexington-Fayette County Health Department emphasizes Harm Reduction Program
by: Tyler Melito LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Over the last seven years, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has been fighting hard against the spread of viruses such as Hepatitis-C and HIV, and one of the ways they have done this is through their Harm Reduction Program. Part of what the[Read More…]
Leaders and addiction specialists urge for immediate action as fentanyl use spikes
By Chandler Wilcox HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) – Fentanyl has grabbed the attention of leaders nationally and statewide. Kentucky House Bill 353, which would decriminalize fentanyl testing strips and other testing tools, passed through the House as the need for action grows. The CDC says fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100[Read More…]