The Recovery Ready Communities program is growing with the addition of Estill, Henderson, Lewis and Warren counties. By designating these counties as Recovery Ready, Team Kentucky is expanding access to assistance for drug and alcohol addiction for an additional 219,000 Kentuckians.
“Too many of our families know the pain of losing a loved one to addiction, and every life lost is a child of God that we mourn,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “By certifying four more counites as Recovery Ready Communities, including the commonwealth’s third-largest city, we are ensuring that every Kentuckian can get the addiction treatment and recovery resources they deserve to live a full, healthy life.”
New Recovery Ready Communities
The Estill County Overdose Task Force supports addiction treatment and services to the county’s 14,000 residents. The Estill County Health Department also operates the Under the Bridge harm reduction and mobile outreach program, which is a model for the delivery of these services to marginalized populations. Mercy Health’s Marcum and Wallace Hospital in Irvine and Kentucky River Foothills also work to provide in-person services while reducing the stigma surrounding addiction.
“We are very excited to receive the Recovery Ready Community certification for Estill County,” Elizabeth Walling, public health director for the Estill County Health Department, said. “Our community partners are actively working together to ensure that anyone dealing with substance use disorder has access to local resources and the support they need to achieve sobriety.”
Henderson County is home to an active ASAP Board that has historically invested in interventions for over 44,000 residents of the county. The county is also home to The Port, a youth drop-in center serving individuals aged 16-25 offering mental health support and addiction treatment. The Recovery Resource Club of Henderson hosts the Stop The Overdose Project, an innovative collaboration between city and county governments led by the Women’s Addiction Recovery Manor designed to reduce community stigma and drug overdoses while increasing harm reduction capacity.
“Through the hard work over many years of the Women’s Addiction Recovery Manor, its leadership and especially founder Dale Sights, Henderson County has truly become a place of healing and hope for those who struggle with addiction,” Henderson County Judge/Executive Brad Schneider said. “This certification acknowledges those heroic efforts and reminds us all of the thousands of lives saved through expert intervention, treatment and successful transition back into society. On behalf of Henderson County Fiscal Court, I offer heartfelt congratulations for everyone who had a hand in earning our community this tremendous honor.”
Lewis County received its certification thanks to dedicated county leadership who created a model partnership between Fresh Start Health, Lewis County Fiscal Court, Lewis County Health Department and Lewis County Emergency Management to expand access to addiction treatment and enhance community prevention efforts. The county’s nearly 13,000 residents also benefit from a strong and active local ASAP Board and one of the newest chapters of Operation UNITE.
“This certification reflects who we are as a community, people who care about one another and step up when our neighbors need help,” Lewis County Judge/Executive George Sparks said. “I want to thank Tammy Brown and all of our partners for leading this effort and ensuring Lewis County has the resources in place to support recovery. Today is a proud day for our county, and I’m honored that the Commonwealth has recognized our commitment.”
Warren County’s almost 148,000 residents benefit from a county-level Office of Drug Control Policy that serves the Barren River Area Development District and an active ASAP Board that funds interventions in the county. LifeSkills, Inc., also partners with stakeholders across the county, like the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the Salvation Army, to operate a Quick Response Team to provide resources to the homeless and those fighting addiction. Warren County residents also have access to the Anchor Project, a three-part regional addiction project that provides various levels of addiction treatment.
“I am incredibly proud of our Warren County team and the many community partners who worked tirelessly to achieve this Recovery Ready Communities certification,” Warren County Judge/Executive Doug Gorman said. “This milestone reflects our shared commitment to supporting recovery, reducing stigma, and building a healthier, more resilient community for all who call Warren County home.”
Treatment Resources
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect you to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP (833-859-4357).
Information about treatment programs all across the commonwealth is available at FindHelpNowKy.org. Information on how to obtain the life-saving drug naloxone, which is used to reverse an opioid overdose, can be found at that website as well as FindNaloxoneNowKy.org and FindMentalHealthNowKy.org.
Visit the Kentucky State Police website to find one of KSP’s 16 posts where those suffering from addiction can be paired with a local officer who will assist with locating an appropriate treatment program. The Angen Initiative is completely voluntary, and individuals will not be arrested or charged with any violations if they agree to participate in treatment.
The state’s Treatment Access Program also allows those without health insurance to enter residential treatment, and the Recovery Ready certification helps communities support residents who are seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction. The Beshear-Coleman administration created a website to help people in recovery find housing, FindRecoveryHousingNowKY.org, and a website to support Kentuckians seeking second chances find a job, get an education or continue recovery, SecondChance.ky.gov. The site also connects business leaders with resources to help them hire second-chance talent.
