While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Americans struggling with substance use have faced new challenges. More than 100,000 Americans have died from opioid overdoses between April 2020 and April 2021. Read more here.
Author: Kentucky Recovery News
New report reveals that Medicare beneficiaries are not receiving medication to treat opioid use disorder
The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) recently released a report mid-December of 2021. The data found that Medicare beneficiaries were not receiving medication to treat their opioid use disorder. Within the report, the data showed that in 2020, over 1 million[Read More…]
New book ‘The Least of Us’ details the impact of the opioid crisis throughout America
“The Least of – Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth” exposed the growing opioid epidemic. The book features detailed stories of how the opioid crisis continues to have a negative impact. Read more here.
Jefferson County’s overdose deaths have decreased but case numbers are still larger than pre-pandemic numbers
Health care officials in the recovery space have noted that more residents are seeking help for addiction. While the number of cases is still alarming, the number of overdose deaths have decreased. 604 people died last year in Jefferson County from overdose deaths. Read more here.
The opioid epidemic has claimed the lives of over a million Americans
National Center for Health Statistics, a branch of the CDC, released data that found between 1999 and 2020, 932,364 Americans died from drug overdoses. The data also revealed that nearly 100,000 overdose deaths occurred in 2021. The age groups that had the highest drug overdose deaths were those between the ages[Read More…]
Spike in substance use cases prompts preparation for increased treatment
Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) is responding to a potential increase of substance use cases starting at the beginning of the new year. ARC officials warn that peak cases begin between Jan. 3rd and the 21st. Read more here.
Studies discover impact of opioid misuse, rising death rate of Black individuals
The American Journal of Public Health released data that shows opioid overdose deaths have increased by 40% among Black individuals. In Kentucky, death rates related to opioid overdoses had a 57% increase among Black individuals between 2019 and 2020. Read more here.
Weekly Update for Dec. 13 – 17
Treatment, Recovery & Prevention Corbin Times-Tribune: Operation UNITE using $15,000 to provide support for transitional housing Ashland Daily Independent: A step closer: Addiction Recovery Care signs letter of intent; 250 jobs on horizon Wall Street Journal: Fentanyl Invades More Illicit Pills, With Deadly Consequences Axios: Tennessee prisons see overdoses surge Becker’s Hospital Review: Fentanyl overdose[Read More…]
A Kentucky woman is helping save lives by distributing Narcan
One woman has made it her mission to destigmatize how Kentuckians react to overdose related deaths. After losing her daughter to an opioid overdose, Helen Latta now teaches others how to use Narcan. Read more here.
Volunteers of America launch pilot program to help parents experiencing addiction
VOA has partnered with Kentucky welfare officials to create a pilot program that addresses keeping families together. The program helps parents to keep their children during their recovery journey. Read more here.