Gov. Beshear Highlights Decline of Drug Overdoses, Progress on Addiction Recovery

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Gov. Beshear Highlights Decline of Drug Overdoses, Progress on Addiction Recovery

Team Kentucky Update includes good economic news, updates
on EV charging, Mountain Parkway, and more

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 15, 2023) – Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted his administration’s continued dedication to fighting addiction in the commonwealth as the 2022 Drug Overdose Fatality Report was released, marking Kentucky’s first decline in overdose deaths since 2018.

“While we saw a decrease in overdose deaths last year, we must keep fighting, and that includes creating more services and support for Kentuckians in need,” said Gov. Beshear. “I believe the first step to overcoming addiction takes a great deal of bravery. And across Kentucky, we’re making sure we have the resources and support in place to help those folks succeed.”

During the Team Kentucky update, the Governor also shared news on economic development; electric vehicle charging stations; plans to complete the Mountain Parkway expansion; the Department of Juvenile Justice; and recovery efforts in Eastern Kentucky. He also named the recipients of the 2023 Governor’s Ambassador Awards as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.

Helping Kentuckians Recover from Addiction
Gov. Beshear highlighted additional ways Kentucky is battling addiction and helping Kentuckians recover. One of those steps is through the federally funded Recovery Housing Program, which has helped nonprofits across the commonwealth provide transitional housing for those in recovery. So far, 164 Kentuckians in recovery programs have been sheltered thanks to the program’s funding in the state.

“The funding we received is allowing our program to stand out in the recovery housing world by creating a subsidy program to cover up to eight weeks of program fees and rent for low- to moderate-income residents who enroll,” said Janet Gates, executive director of the Franklin County Women and Family Shelter. “This allows these residents to have weeks to settle in and get adjusted without the worries of how to cover costs of the recovery housing.”

Last year, the Governor launched findrecoveryhousingnowKY.org to help people find safe, stable and affordable housing so they can focus on rehabilitation. Since the launch, 181 homes have been secured. The Kentucky Recovery Housing Networkhas certified 54 homes across the state to shelter Kentuckians as they recover. The Kentucky Opioid Response Effort has helped distribute more than 82,000 free Naloxone units. Naloxone treats victims of overdose and is a lifesaving medicine. The administration also launched a statewide campaign called UNSHAME Kentucky, which provides a platform for people impacted by addiction to tell their stories of hope and strength.

There are several ways Kentuckians can find help for treatment and recovery, including:

Economic Development
Gov. Beshear announced continued economic growth in the commonwealth as WILA USA, an industry-leading producer of tooling systems for sheet metals, announced it will be relocating its North American headquarters and establishing manufacturing operations in Jefferson County with an $11.5 million investment creating 24 quality Kentucky jobs.

EV Charging Stations
Gov. Beshear announced the state is seeking proposals from private-sector organizations interested in helping the state expand its electric vehicle charging network. The Governor said the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet issued a final Request for Proposals today to build up to 37 stations along Kentucky interstates and parkways after receiving approval from the Federal Highway Administration.

“Kentucky has taken a national leadership role in the fast-growing electric vehicle sector. Team Kentucky is not just leading, we are emerging as the Electric Vehicle Capital of America,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are making sure no part of Kentucky is left out of this brighter future we’re building.”

Proposals from interested parties are due by Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. EDT. To learn more about this RFP, visit kyevcharging.com.

Search for Team To Complete Mountain Parkway Expansion
The Governor has put out a call for firms seeking to complete the final section of the Mountain Parkway expansion in Eastern Kentucky, marking an important step toward finishing one of the commonwealth’s most impactful transportation projects in a generation. The final project segment, referred to as Magoffin-Floyd, is planned to be a 13-mile stretch of newly constructed four-lane highway, from U.S. Highway 460 in Salyersville to Kentucky Highway 404 in Prestonsburg. To read more, see the full release.

Department of Juvenile Justice Update
Over the past several months, Gov. Beshear’s administration has implemented sweeping improvements to address juvenile detention facilities’ challenges. In March, the Governor signed Senate Bill 162, appropriating more than $25 million to the Department of Juvenile Justice for staff salaries, facility upgrades and transportation costs. While this announcement has improved staffing at the detention centers, the Campbell Regional Juvenile Detention Center, the state’s first female-only center, is continuing to experience critical staffing levels. The department has proactively relocated female juveniles to Boyd Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

“The most important thing is the safety of our juveniles and staff,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am committed to continuing on our historic path forward of making sweeping safety changes in the Department of Juvenile Justice.”

The department will continue to recruit and train correctional officers for the Campbell detention center, and female juveniles will return once staffing is secure. The Campbell detention center staff will remain at the facility to accept new juvenile intakes and operate the female youth development center.

Males currently housed at the Boyd detention center will be temporarily transferred to Breathitt Regional Juvenile Detention Center. A transportation plan is in place to support these transfers.

Eastern Kentucky Floods Update
The Governor provided an update on recovery and rebuilding efforts in Eastern Kentucky. Currently, 93 families are housed in travel trailers, and nearly 290 households have transitioned out of the Commonwealth Sheltering Program in Eastern Kentucky. As of this week, over $34.4 million has been awarded for the buy-out program. The awards include 202 properties from Breathitt, Floyd, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties, as well as the City of Jackson.

Contracted crews continue to collect flood debris on private property that could not be moved to the side of the road for pickup. As of June 14, crews have removed over 2,500 tons of debris in Letcher, Knott, Perry and Pike counties. To date, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has replaced 43 bridges and repaired 33 bridges. For more information on rebuilding efforts visit, governor.ky.gov/Flood-Resources.

EKY and WKY SAFE Fund Awards
Today, Gov. Beshear announced more awards from the Eastern Kentucky SAFE Fund to communities and public entities impacted by the devastating late July 2022 floods. This week, nearly $7 million in funding was approved for communities, including:

  • $375,000 to the City of Beattyville to alleviate fiscal strain and assist in long-term recovery efforts;
  • Over $3 million to Breathitt County to alleviate fiscal strain;
  • Nearly $270,000 for strained fiscal liquidity and help fund a FEMA match;
  • $250,000 to the City of Hindman to alleviate fiscal strain; and
  • Over $3 million to the Knott County Board of Education to assist with the strain of fiscal demands.

The Governor also announced a $373,000 award from the Western Kentucky SAFE Fund to Mayfield Independent School to recover lost revenue.

Team Kentucky All-Stars
Yesterday in the State Capitol Rotunda, Gov. Beshear presented state employees with Governor’s Ambassador Awards, recognizing their significant impact in their community and service to fellow Kentuckians. The Governor named the award recipients as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars. To see a list of award recipients, click here.

“Yesterday, we recognized seven Kentucky state employees and their commitment and dedication to public service during the Governor’s Ambassador Awards. These awards celebrate community service, volunteerism, courage, customer service, leadership, professional achievement and teamwork,” said Gov. Beshear. “These awards recognize acts of service from last year, and it was so special to have the opportunity to celebrate these dedicated members of Team Kentucky.”

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