International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31 gives Kentuckians an opportunity to remember those lost to overdose, support families and communities affected by the crisis, and recognize the progress being made across the Commonwealth.
It also provides an opportunity to shine a light on the work happening in Kentucky communities and the ways counties are turning opioid settlement dollars into investments designed to make a lasting difference.
Across Kentucky, counties are using settlement funds to support prevention, treatment, recovery, harm reduction, peer support and other locally identified priorities. But the impact of these investments cannot always be measured by a spending report alone.
Before a program can get off the ground, communities may need to build partnerships, identify providers, establish decision-making processes and determine how services can be sustained after settlement funds are gone. That groundwork is especially important in rural communities, where provider and workforce shortages can make expanding services challenging.
Kentucky's 120 counties have different needs, resources and challenges, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing the opioid crisis. The goal is to make thoughtful, locally driven investments that strengthen community systems and create meaningful, lasting change.
Telling the county story
Counties also have an important role in sharing the story of that work. Overdose Awareness Day is an opportunity to highlight local programs, share stories of prevention and recovery, promote available resources and help reduce the stigma surrounding substance use and addiction.
These stories can help put settlement investments into perspective. Behind every program or service is a community identifying a need and working to address it, whether that means connecting people to treatment, supporting recovery, expanding prevention efforts or helping families navigate available resources.
International Overdose Awareness Day campaign resources are available for counties and organizations to promote local events, share information and raise awareness.
Every county has a story worth telling. Sharing those stories helps Kentuckians see the progress being made, connect with resources and understand why continued investment in prevention, treatment and recovery matters.
This Aug. 31, Kentucky can honor those lost, celebrate recovery, share resources and recognize the counties and communities working every day to build a healthier future.
- For more information about opioid settlement resources, click here.
Photo: The Jessamine County courthouse was lit in purple in recognition of Overdose Awareness Day 2025.
