Prioritizing punishment over public health has hurt Kentucky communities. Nazish Dholakia | Senior Writer | Aug 09, 2023 Amanda Hall is an organizer and advocate based in Louisa, a town of about 2,700 people in eastern Kentucky. She moved into policy work after running a drug treatment and recovery center where[Read More…]
Tag: substance use
Only 1 in 5 people with opioid use disorder received medication in 2021
BY JOSEPH CHOI | 08/07/23 | 2:39 PM ET A study published Monday found that only about 1 out of 5 U.S. adults dealing with opioid use disorder in 2021 received medications to treat their condition, despite newer guidance recommending the use of such treatments. The research from the Centers for Disease[Read More…]
Thirteen in Anderson die from drug overdoses
Jul 13, 2023 FRANKFORT — The battle has not been won but a national report finds that Kentucky is one of eight states making significant reductions in drug overdose deaths. Gov. Andy Beshear released the 2022 Overdose Fatality Report stating that 2,135 Kentuckians lost their lives to a drug overdose[Read More…]
Aromatherapy could provide a sweet smell of success for substance use disorder patients, WVU study finds
Thursday, July 13, 2023 (Editor’s note: Watch a video with researcher Marian Reven explaining the benefits of aromatherapy.) Aromatherapy eases stress in people undergoing treatment for substance use disorder which, in turn, could enhance their chances of a successful recovery, according to West Virginia University research. The study, which is ongoing, incorporates the use of[Read More…]
‘Support them on their path to recovery’: Jackson County Jail announces new program to treat substance use
The Jackson County Jail now joins 34 other Indiana counties in offering treatment for incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder. JACKSON COUNTY, Ind. — Jackson County Jail leaders announced a new program to treat substance use and reduce recidivism Wednesday. Jackson County, Indiana Sheriff Rick Meyer said the Medication Assisted Treatment[Read More…]
Substance abuse impacts older adults, nationally and locally
By Jane Kim, Brayden Trimmel | July 10, 2023 PADUCAH, KY — Substance abuse might seem like a young person’s problem, but older adults are increasingly impacted. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported in 2018 that nearly 1 million adults ages 65 and older live with a substance use disorder.[Read More…]
New Report Ranks Kentucky #1 for Adult Access to Mental Health Care
New Report Ranks Kentucky #1 for Adult Access to Mental Health Care A new report published by Mental Health America ranks Kentucky #1 nationwide for lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care among adults. The ranking is based on several metrics, including: adults with any mental illness[Read More…]
Millions with opioid addiction don’t receive residential treatment
Live-in facilities offer ‘some of the best treatment for those with severe substance use’ CHICAGO — Approximately 7 million adults in the U.S. are living with opioid use disorder (OUD). Yet a new Northwestern Medicine study that measured residential treatment use among Medicaid enrollees across nine states found only 7% of enrollees[Read More…]
Kentucky moving toward more holistic approach to substance abuse treatment
By Mark Vanderhoff, Reporter | WLKY LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky has developed a comprehensive strategy for combatting substance abuse treatment, and the $842 million in legal settlements with pharmaceutical companies and distributors could help fund key components. That’s according to key figures who spoke to state lawmakers on Thursday in[Read More…]
2021- 2022 Michael E. Townsend Leadership Academy Information
The Michael E. Townsend Leadership Academy is an opportunity for those who wish to become leaders throughout Kentucky in the field of substance abuse/recovery and mental health to collaborate and further enhance their skills. Since 2005, participants in the Leadership Academy have been challenged to grow both individually and professionally.[Read More…]