[♪♪] >> WELCOME TO OUR SPECIALTY TOWN HALL STYLE PROGRAM FOCUSING ON THE STATE'S DRUG CRISIS, DISRUPTING ADDICTION A KET FORUM.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I'M RENEE SHAW.

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018 THERE IS A DROP IN ANNUAL DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN KENTUCKY.

WHILE THAT IS GOOD NEWS, THERE ARE TROUBLING TRENDS THAT DEADLY OPIOIDS AND EVEN ANIMAL SEDATIVES ARE COMPLICATING THEIR RESPONSE TO THE DRUG CRISIS.

HOW IS THE COMMONWEALTH TACKLING THE SCOURGE OF ADDICTION?

FOR ANSWERS WE'VE ASSEMBLY PELLED A PANEL OF STATE OFFICIALS AND DRUG VOX AND TREATMENT PROVIDERS AND POLICYMAKERS TO HELP US UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM AND WAYS IT'S BEING ADDRESSED.

WE HAVE VAN INGRAM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KENTUCKY OFFICE OF DRUG CONTROL POLICY.

BRYAN HUBBARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHAIR OF THE KENTUCKY OPIOID ABATEMENT COMMISSION.

ERIC FRIEDLANDER SECRETARY FOR THE HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES.

KIM MOSER CHAIR OF THE HOUSE HEALTH SERVICES COMMITTEE.

Dr. DEVIN OLLER, M.D.

A PRIMARY CARE AND ADDICTION MEDICINE PHYSICIAN THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.

JENNIFER HANCOCK PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA MID-STATES.

JIMMY CORNELISON, THE MADISON COUNTY CORONER AND NANCY HELL PRESENT AND C.E.O.

OF OPERATION UNITE.

WE HAVE SPECIAL GUESTS IN OUR AUDIENCE THIS EVENING AS WELL.

AND WE APPRECIATE THEM FOR BEING HERE.

AND A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO OUR AUDIENCE AND TO OUR PANELISTS.

[APPLAUSE] >> Renee: SO LET'S BEGIN WITH WHAT KENTUCKY IS FACING WHEN IT COMES TO ILLEGAL DRUG USE AND THE DEADLY CONSEQUENCES IT CAN BRING.

THE 2022 OVERDOSE FATALITY REPORT TELLS US THAT A TOTAL OF 2135 KENTUCKY RESIDENTS DIED FROM A DRUG OVERDOSE.

THE AGE GROUP WITH THE GREATEST NUMBER OF DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN 2022 INCLUDED THOSE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 35-44.

FENTANYL WAS IDENTIFIED IN MORE THAN 1500 DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS AND THAT REPRESENTS 72% OF THE TOTAL DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN 2022.

VAN INGRAM THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AGAIN AS YOU OFTEN ARE ON THIS PROGRAM TO GIVE US CONTEXT.

BECAUSE WE OFF SPOT OFF THE NUMBERS BUT THESE ARE REAL HUMAN BEINGS WHO LEFT BEHIND FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES WHO CARED ABOUT THEM.

GIVE US THE CONTEXT OF THESE NUMBERS AND THE IMPACT THOUGH IT'S GOOD NEWS, WHAT DOES IT SIGNAL FOR KENTUCKY AHEAD?

>> WE ARE THRILLED TO HAVE 5% REDUCTION THAT IS 500 RESIDENTS.

KENTUCKY WAS ONE OF ONLY EIGHT STATES THAT SAW THE IMPACT OF 100 FEWER DEATHS OR MORE.

WE LOSE SIX KENTUCKIANS EVERYDAY TO PREVENTIBLE DISEASE, A PREVENTIBLE DEATH.

THE CARTELS HAVE NOT MADE OUR WORK EASY.

IN ADDITION TO THE NEWS WE DON'T HAVE A HEROIN PROBLEM WE HAVE A FENTANYL AND XYLAZINE IS.

>> ANIMAL TRANQUIL LIZZER NOT A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

AND SOME OCCASIONS IT'S PUT INTO THE DRUGS FROM THE CARTELS AND SOME CASES ADDED HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S REALLY GOING TO CAUSE US TO REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS AND LOOK FOR NEWS WAYS.

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT TEST STRIPS.

IT'S UNBELIEVABLE THAT FENTANYL WASN'T DEADLY ENOUGH NOW WE HAVE TO ADD SOMETHING ELSE TO IT.

>> Renee: AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE FE FENTANYL AND TEST STRIPS THAT KIM MOSER HELPED GET INTO LAW.

I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE COUNTIES WITH THE HIGHEST RATES OF DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN 2022 AND WE HAVE A GRAPHIC.

BATH, LEE, FLOYD,S STILL AND ALL OF THE COUNTIES ARE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU?

>> OUT OF THOSE COUNTIES, HAVE STRUGGLED FOR YEARS WITH ADDICTION PROBLEM.

EASTERN KENTUCKY AND APPALACHIAN WAS GROUND ZERO FOR THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

IT REMAINS ONE OF THE HARD HARDT HIT AREAS IN THE COUNTRY.

WEST VIRGINIA, OF COURSE, THERE'S JUST NOT THE RESOURCES A LOT OF TIMES IN THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT OTHERS HAVE.

AND THAT MAKES THINGS MORE DIFFICULT.

>> Renee: REPRESENTATIVE MOESER, IN ADDITION TO BEING THE REPUBLICAN CHAIR OF THE HOUSE HEALTH SERVICES COMMITTEE YOU HAVE BEEN PART OF THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY OFFICE OF DRUG CONTROL POLICY AND RAN THAT FOR YEARS IN A REGION ONCE DEVASTATED BY OPIOID ABUSE.

HOW DO YOU INTERPRET THE DECLINE OF THE NUMBER OF OVERDOSE FATALITIES AND ARE THERE SPECIFIC POLICIES THAT COULD MAKE THOSE NUMBERS IMPROVE MORE AND MORE.

>> .

>> I THINK OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS OR SO MAYBE A LITTLE LONGER WE HAVE PUT STRONG POLICIES IN PLACE.

I THINK WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE THE BENEFIT OF THOSE POLICIES.

WE'VE CHANGED THE CONVERSATION AROUND ADDICTION.

AND I THINK IT'S JUST EASIER FOR US TO PASS BILLS, TO ALLOW POLICIES STRONG POLICIES THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

OBVIOUSLY WE ARE LOSING 2135 INDIVIDUALS A YEAR.

AND THAT'S FAR TOO MANY.

SO YOU KNOW I THINK THAT THE RESOURCES ARE IMPROVING.

>> Renee: WELL, JOINING US NOW Mr. JIMMY CORNELISON WHO IS THE MADISON COUNTY CORONER THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Renee: I KNOW THAT THE NUMBERS DON'T TELL THE FULL EXTENT OF THE STORY AND OF THE JOB THAT YOU HAVE TO DO AND KNOCKING ON THE DOORS OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND TELLING THEM THAT THEY'VE LOST SOMEONE TO DRUG ADDICTION.

SHARE WITH US THAT EXPERIENCE AND HOW MADISON COUNTY IS NOW DOING?

>> WELL, EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT.

YOU KNOW, YOU WILL BE MET BY 3:00 A.M.

THEY KNOW WHEN THEY LOOK OUTSIDE AND SEE A MARKED POLICE UNIT AND MYSELF STANDING THERE WITH A CORONER SHIRT ON THAT WE DIDN'T STOP BY JUST TO CHAT.

I ACTUALLY HAD ONE MOTHER WHO MET ME AT THE DOOR ONE DAY AND TOLD ME SHE DREAMED OF ME BEING THERE BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES THAT THEY HAD HAD.

HAVE ONE FAMILY WHERE I DID THREE SONS AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

WIPED THE WHOLE FAMILY OUT.

SO THAT'S DIFFICULT.

IT CAN'T BE TAUGHT.

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO JUST LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE.

IT'S EVERYTHING FROM ACTUALLY PEOPLE CLOSING THE DOOR IN-YOUR-FACE OR JUST DROPPING OUT THERE ON THE SPOT.

>> Renee: 75 PEOPLE DIED IN MADISON COUNTY IN 2021 FROM DRUG OVERDOSES UP 59 FROM 2020.

AS YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FROM THE LATEST REPORT, ARE THEY IMPROVING?

STAGNATING?

WHERE IS MADISON COUNTY.

>> WE DID 69 DEATHS LAST YEAR.

AND AS OF YESTERDAY OR AS OF THIS MORNING I DID AN OVERDOSE YESTERDAY, AND I GOT A RESULT BACK THIS MORNING WE'RE AT 44.

SO WE'RE ON TARGET TO DO MORE THAN WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR.

>> Renee: IS IT FENTANYL?

>> FENTANYL IS IN 95, 98% OF EVERYTHING I DO.

I AM SEEING AN UPSWING IN COCAINE, WHICH WAS GONE FOR SOMETIME AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S REARED ITS HEAD UP FOR US.

AND THE FENTANYL AND THE METHAMPHETAMINES ARE THE TWO CULPRITS.

>> KENTUCKY COUNTY IS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS WITH FENTANYL JEFFERSON, FAYETTE, KEN TON, MADISON AND BOYD.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO OVERDOSE DEATHS CONNECTED TO METHAMPHETAMINE MADISON COUNTY RANKED THIRD BEHIND FAYETTE AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

YOU'VE MENTIONED BEFORE IN OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT HOW MADISON COUNTY ENCOMPASSES THE LARGEST STRETCH OF I-75 IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS A FACTOR?

>> I DO THINK IT IS A FACTOR.

I THINK IT'S JUST A STRAIGHT SHOT.

THE GENTLEMAN WAS TALKING ABOUT THE CARTELS WHO TRANSPORT THE DRUGS BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE ALL COMING FROM THERE.

ANYBODY WHO CAN BUY A COKE BOTTLE AND NOW HOW TO MIX IT UP AS DANGEROUS AS IT IS, CAN DO THIS.

BUT I THINK THAT DEFINITELY IS A PROBLEM.

>> Renee: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY TO THOSE WHO ARE IN POSITIONS OF DECISION MAKING AND POLICY WHO COULD HELP REVERSE THESE NUMBERS IN A MORE POSITIVE DIRECTION?

>> WELL, REALLY, I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING Y'ALL DO.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS AN ANSWER.

IF I HAD THAT ANSWER, WE'D BE IN A BIGGER PLACE THAN THIS, WOULDN'T WE?

IF I COULD COME WITH THOSE ANSWERS AND WE AS CORONERS, WE TALK ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?

I'M FORTUNATE MADISON COUNTY, I HAVE A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM.

I HAVE A STRONG EMS.

I DON'T KNOW MUCH NARCAN THEY GIVE OUT A YEAR BUT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS FINANCIALLY IT'S CAN BE A BURDEN YOU KNOW.

>> Renee: AND THAT'S THE OVERDOSE REVERSAL DRUG.

>> YES.

IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT, I'D BE AFRAID TO TELL YOU HOW MANY IT'S ALMOST DAILY LISTENING TO THE RADIO SOMEBODY IS PASSED OUTGOING THROUGH A DRIVE-THRU RESTAURANT.

THEY ARE OUT.

AND I THINK WE DO ALSO HAVE A HOMELESS PROBLEM THERE.

AND I HATE TO SAY PROBLEM.

BUT THAT IS WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT.

TRYING TO, BUT TO THIS PANEL, I WOULD JUST SAY I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ESPECIALLY LISTEN TO YOUR LOCAL PEOPLE.

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE STREETS SEE IT IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT THAN Y'ALL DO.

AND THAT'S NOTHING AGAINST Y'ALL BUT WE SEE WHAT IT DOES TO FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU FOR DOING THE WORK YOU DO.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THE POSITION THAT YOU ARE IN.

AND YOUR FELLOW COLLEAGUES.

AND SO JUST THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT WORK.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOU.

>> SECRETARY FRIEDLANDER, I WANT TO COME TO YOU YOU ARE PART OF THESE CONVERSATIONS ALL THE TIME AND THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WITHIN THE CABINET DOES A LOT OF THIS WORK AND WE HAVE Dr. BRINS AL A GREAT LEADER OF THAT IN THE PASS.

TALK TO US ABOUT HOW THE CABINET IS ADDRESSING THIS AND WHAT IS ALARMING TO YOU?

>> THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITHIN THE CABINET.

FIRST WITHIN OUR MEDICAID PROGRAM WE DID AWAY WITH PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT I HOPE THAT HAS AN IMPACT.

OUR CORE PROGRAM THAT COMMISSIONER MARKS WORK ON IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAVE REALLY SINCE EIGHT YEARS AGO ACROSS ADMINISTRATIONS BEEN WORKING REALLY DILIGENTLY TO FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN LOCAL LEVELS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE CORONER JUST SAID IS NARCAN HAS HAD SUCH A BIG IMPACT AND WE FOCUS ON PRECONVENTION AND HARM REDUCTION AND I'M SURE I KNOW THAT HOPEFULLY PART OF THE DECLINE AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS WITH CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT ONE YEAR DOES NOT A TREND MAKE, BUT HOPEFULLY THAT NARCAN DISTRIBUTION HELPED PEOPLE SURVIVE.

AND YOU CAN'T GET TO TREATMENT IF YOU'RE DEAD.

RIGHT?

YOU CAN'T TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND IF YOU'RE SEE THE CORONER.

SO THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE TO GET TO TREATMENT, TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE THEY CAN TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND AND TO GET TO HAVE HOPE THAT ALL OUR COMMUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER CAN HELP LIFT THEM UP.

>> Renee: YES.

Dr. OLLER I WANT TO COME TO YOU NOW CERTIFIED PHYSICIAN IN ADDICTION MEDICINE AND YOU PROVIDE TREATMENTS FOR PATIENTS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.

AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT NALOXONE AND NARCAN, 9-10 KENTUCKIANS SUFFERING FROM MISUSE OR ABUSE DISORDER INCLUDING OPIOIDS GO UNTREATED.

9 OUT OF 10.

WHY IS THAT?

>> I THINK THERE'S HUGE CHALLENGES WITH ACCESS AND STIGMA RELATED TO THE EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS WE HAVE FOR ADDICTION.

I SEE THIS EVERYDAY COMING INTO CLINIC.

AND OFTEN I SIT DOWN WITH MY PATIENTS AND I TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH.

I THINK WE UNDERSTAND THAT PERSPECTIVE WE UNDERSTAND WHY THESE MEDICATIONS WORK.

WHY THEY SAVE LIVES.

MANY OF MY PATIENTS EXPLAIN TO ME AN ACTIVE ADDICTION FEELS LIKE THEIR BRAIN HAS BEEN HIJACKED.

AND THERE'S ONLY ONE DESTINATION.

IT IS OWE TO OBTAIN THAT SUBSTANCE TO GET OUT OF WITHDRAWAL.

AND WHEN YOU -- IT TAKES INCREDIBLE COURAGE TO SAY I'VE HAD ENOUGH.

SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS GIVE PATIENTS THE TOOLS AND THE SKILLS NOT JUST TO TAKE BACK OWNERSHIP AND BE BACK IN THE PILOT'S CHAIR, BUT TO REALLY BE ABLE TO AIM THEIR DESTINATION TOWARDS LONG-TERM RECOVERY.

MEDICATIONS FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER METHADONE AND NALOXONE IS HAVING A COPILOT TO NAVIGATE THAT EARLY TURBULENCE OF WITHDRAWAL AND ALSO TO HELP KEEP THAT HIJACKER OUT OF THE PILOT'S CHAIR AS WELL.

I DON'T HAVE ANY MEDICATION FOR HEART FAILURE FOR DIABETES THAT IS AS EFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF REDUCING DEATH AS PUB ANOTHER 15 AND METHADONE.

50% DROP IN MORTALITY IF I AM ABLE TO GET FOLKS STARTED ON THAT.

BUT THE BARRIERS THAT ACCESS POINT.

AND THAT IS WHY I THINK WE SEE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY THE CHALLENGES OF GETTING FOLKS INTO TREATMENT AND STAYING IN TREATMENT.

>> Renee: Dr. OLLER THERE ARE MANY WHO SAY ARE YOU TRADING ONE ADDICTION WITH ANOTHER WITH SUBJECT OX ZONE AND METHADONE.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE WITH ANYTHING CRITICISM?

>> THINK IF WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN ADDICTION WE UNDERSTAND AS A CHRONIC DISEASE OF THE BRAIN THAT HAS A GREAT PROGNOSIS WITH EFFECTIVE TREATMENT.

WE WOULD NEVER SAY TO A PATIENT WITH DIABETES THAT USING INSULIN IS TRADING ONE DRUG FOR ANOTHER, RIGHT?

WHY DO WE DO THAT FOR ADDICTION?

I THINK FUNDAMENTALLY IT'S THIS MISUNDERSTANDING THAT IT'S JUST A CHOICE.

THERE AREN'T GENETICS INVOLVED.

THAT THERE ISN'T TRAUMA INVOLVED.

AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT SOME OF THE PREVENTION EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THOSE THINGS.

>> Renee: ARE YOU PART OF THE HEALING COMMUNITY TEAM AT U.K. $87 MILLION GRANT AWARDED TO REDUCE OPIOID OVERDOSES BY 40% IN 16 COUNTIES WITH THE IDEA THIS WOULD BE REPLICATED ACROSS THE STATE.

HOW IS THAT GOING?

AND WHAT DO WE HOPE TO GET FROM THAT?

>> IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLE TO BE PART OF THAT TEAM AND EFFORTS WE'RE SEEING ACROSS OUR COMMONWEALTH.

WE'VE REALLY WORKED HARD WITH OUR COMMUNITY COALITIONS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR OWN COMMUNITYS' NEEDS.

ONE THING THAT WE IDENTIFIED IS REALLY THE CHALLENGE OF MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE PATIENTS.

I'M THINKING ABOUT OUR INCARCERATED PATIENTS.

SO USING ILLICIT DRUGS INVOLVES ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AND OFTEN INDIVIDUALS END UP IN JAIL.

BUT TREATMENT USUALLY DOESN'T CONTINUE IN JAIL.

AND ACTUALLY INDIVIDUALS ARE MUCH HIGHER RISK FOR OVERDOSE AND DEATH RIGHT AFTER INCARCERATION.

AND SO IF WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT NOT JUST MEDICATIONS FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER ARE CONTINUED DURING INCARCERATION BUT THERE IS A SMOOTH LANDING FOR FOLKS COMING OUT OF THAT SETTING I THINK WE CAN SAVE A LOT OF LIVES THAT WAY AS WELL.

>> Renee: AND I HAVE TO ASK YOU ABOUT IBO GAIN.

IT IS AN ILLEGAL PSYCHEDELIC NOT APPROVED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?

IS THIS AN ALTERNATIVE ANOTHER WAY TO GET AT TREATING ADDICTION?

EFFECTIVE WAY?

>> I THINK THERE'S COUPLE IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW.

AS YOU MENTIONED IT'S ONE OF MANY CHEMICALS THAT COME FROM THE ROOT OF A PLANT.

AND IT HAS PSYCHEDELIC PROPERTIES WHERE IT'S BEEN STUDIED AND SOME EMERGING EVIDENCE IS THAT IT MAY BE HELPFUL WITH OPIOID WITHDRAWAL.

AGAIN, GETTING THROUGH OPIOID WITHDRAWAL IS A MAJOR CHALLENGE BUT THAT IS JUST THE START OF THE CHALLENGE.

IF WE UNDERSTAND THIS DISEASE AS ONE THAT IS CHRONIC, AND HAS A HIGH-RISK OF RELAPSE, WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS AS WELL.

SO IT MAY BE PART OF THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION, BUT KENTUCKIANS ARE DYING RIGHT NOW.

AND SO WE NEED TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO GET THEM ACCESS TO THESE EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENTS THAT, AGAIN, REDUCE THE RISK OF DEATH BY 50%.

>> Renee: BRYAN HUBBARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHAIR OF THE KENTUCKY OPIOID ABATEMENT ADVISER COMMISSION.

PICK UP ON THE IBOGAIN DISCUSSIONS.

AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT.

BUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS OFFICE AND YOU HAVE COME OUT AND SAID THIS COULD CHANGE THE PACE AND DIRECTION FOR TREATING ADDICTION.

WHY ARE YOU SO CONFIDENT IN THAT?

>> LET ME BEGIN BY THANK YOUING YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY ON BEHALF OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO BE HERE AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS DISCUSSION.

AT PRESENT AS IT PERTAINS 00IBOGAIN WE ARE IN AN EXPLORATORY PHASE.

AND WHAT WE CAN SAY IS THAT OBSERVATIONAL DATA SUGGESTS THAT IT COULD BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING TREATMENT OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE AND THAT IT MAY REPRESENT A BREAKTHROUGH OPPORTUNITY TO PIONEER AN AADDITIONAL THERAPEUTIC THAT CAN DELIVER FAIRLY DRAMATIC RESULTS WHEN IT COMES TO THE FRONT END OF THE LONG-TERM RECOVERY PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN MENTIONED THUS FAR.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE NOTION AND THE CONCRETE REALITY THAT THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IS THE GRAVEST EXESSENTIAL CRISIS THIS STATE AS FACED SINCE THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY.

WHEN I CAME INTO THIS JOB I THOUGHT I HAD A GOOD HANDLE AROUND THIS ISSUE BUT THERE IS NOT A WEEK THAT GOES BY THAT I AM NOT SHOCKED BY THE NATURE AND SCALE OF THIS PROBLEM AS IT NOW CONTINUES INTO ITS 27TH YEAR IF WE TACK THE BEGINNING AT 1996 WHICH IS WHEN OXYC OXYCONTIN WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE MOUNTAINS.

THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC WE ALL AGREE IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO BEAT BY ANY AND ALL HUMANITARIAN MEANS NECESSARY.

AND ACCORDING TO THAT OBSERVATIONAL DATA PREVIOUSLY REFERENCED, I THE DRUG APPEARS TO DO THREE THINGS.

THE FIRST THING IT DOES IN IS A VERY ACCELERATED TIME-FRAME FROM THE TIME OF ADMINISTRATION, AND WE'RE TALKING 48-72 HOURS, IT APPEARS TO REVERSE THE NEUROCHEM CAL BRAIN INJURY WHICH IS PRODUCED BY OPIOID DEPENDENCE AND IT DOES THAT BY RESTARTING THE BRAIN'S ORGANIC CHEMICAL LOGICAL PRODUCTION OF SEROTONIN AND DOPAMINE YOUR SURVIVAL DRIVE CHEMICALS CHEMICALS THAT THE BRAIN WILL NOT BEGIN TO PRODUCE ON ITS OWN FROM 14 MONTHS FROM THE TIME AN INDIVIDUAL INGESTS THEIR LAST OPIOID.

IT IS THAT 14-MONTH PERIOD WHERE WE OBSERVE REPEATED RELAPSE, OVERDOSE, DESTRUCTION AND DEATH.

AND IF ANGAIN DEMONSTRATE IT IS HAS THE COMPASSTATE THAT INSTEAD OF 14 MONTHS WE NEED TO EXPLORE THAT VALIDITY OF THAT SUGGESTED PROPERTY.

>> Renee: THEY NOTE THAT ANECDOTES SHOWED THAT ABGAIN WHILE IT REDUCES WITHDRAWALS AND CRAVINGS IT CAUSED SEVERE TOXIC ADVERSE EVENTS CARDIAC ACTIVITY THAT COULD BE FATAL.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES, DO THE BENEFITS STILL OUTWEIGH?

>> LET'S BEAR IN MIND WHEN YOU MENTION THOSE CARDIAC RISKS THE ONLY WAY AN INDIVIDUAL PRESENTLY WITH ACCESS IF THEY TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THEY GO INTO WHAT IS CALLED AN UNDERGROUND PRACTITIONER ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE A MEDICALLY OR CLINICALLY CONTROLLED SETTING OR SERIES OF PROTOCOLS.

BETWEEN 1990 AND 2020, AS BEST FOLKS CAN TELL, 10,000 I HAD HAVES RECEIVED ABGAIN TREATMENT.

THERE WERE 33 DEATHS.

METHADONE A COMMONLY AND THE MOST SUCCESSFULLY USED MEDICATION FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER KILLS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IF NOT THOUSANDS A YEAR FROM OVERDOSE.

THE REALITY IS IS THAT IF ABGAIN IS SOMETHING WE DIED TO PURSUE IT WILL HAVE TO BE DONE IN A MEDICALLY, CLINICALLY CONTROLLED SETTING ADMINISTERED BY A PHYSICIAN WITH THE PROSTATE SAFETY PROTOCOLS THAT IS THE ONLY WAY IT CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

THE OTHER REALITY IS AT PRESENT THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF F.D.A.

APPROVED MEDICATIONS ONE OF WHICH IS TACOSIN THAT HAVE CARDIAC PROFILES THAT EXCEED AB DPOOL GAIN.

WHO HAS AN INTEREST, THE CARDIAC RISKS ARE SAFELY MITIGATED AS LONG AS YOU ADHERE TO YOUR APPROPRIATE HEALTH SCREENING, DETOXIFICATION PROTOCOLS AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF PROPER CARDIAC RISK MEASURES IF THEY BECOME NECESSARY.

>> Renee: WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT OTHER RECOVERY PROGRAMS THAT OFFER MEDICAID ASSISTED TREATMENT AND THE COMMISSION DISTRIBUTED MILLIONS TO 24 RECOVERY CENTERS AND PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE.

ISAIAH HOUSE TREATMENT CENTER WHAT WAS AWORDED $250,000 TO HAVE THE LIFE CENTER.

AND TO LEARN WITH HOW THEY ARE OFFERING SUPPORT AND RESTORESES FOR THOSE READY TO CLIMB THEIR WAY OUT OF ADDICTION AND PUT THEM ON A PATH FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS.

>> ANTHONY BENNETT IS MAINTENANCE CREW LEADER AND AMY IS THE RECEPTIONIST AT THE SHELLY CENTER LOCATION OF ISAIAH HOUSE TREATMENT CENTER IN HARRISBURG.

BUT THEY ARE NOT JUST HARD-WORKING STAFF.

>> I'VE OD'S OVER 20 TIMES.

>> THINGS WEREN'T GOING WELL AND I HAD TWO CHILDREN THAT NEED THEIR MOM.

>> THEY ARE SUCCESS STORIES ADDICTION RECOVERY.

>> I COME FROM A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY.

I COME FROM A LOT OF ABUSE.

AND IT STARTED MY LIFESTYLE OF LIVING IN DRUGS AND EVERYTHING.

>> I WAS RAISED IN CHURCH MY WHOLE LIFE.

AND WAS RAISED TO BE A GOOD GIRL.

AND DID ALL THE RIGHT THINGS.

BUT LIFE LED ME DOWN A CROOKED PATH.

>> THEIR ADDICTION STORIES ARE DIFFERENT BUT THEIR RECOVERY IS SIMILAR AS IT BEGAN WITH RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT HERE AT ISAIAH HOUSE TREATMENT CENTER.

>> THAT IS THE SECOND TIME FOR ONE.

>> I WAS GOING TO DIE.

I WAS GOING TO DIE.

BECAUSE IT WAS TAKE THE NEXT DRINK OR I WASN'T GOING TO LIVE ANYMORE.

>> ISAIAH HOUSE TREATMENT CENTER IS A NONPROFIT FAITH BASED ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER WITH SOON TO BE EIGHT CAMPUSES IN KENTUCKY.

>> IT'S VERY INDIVIDUALIZED FOR THAT CLIENT BASED ON USE HISTORY, BASED ON TREATMENT HISTORY, THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT GO INTO THAT DECISION ON WHAT THAT CLIENT NEEDS.

>> IT IS A PHASED TREATMENT PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES BOTH SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM CARE.

>> TYPICAL DAY IN TREATMENT WILL CONSIST OF CLINICAL GROUPS, INDIVIDUALS WITH YOUR THERAPIST, PEER SUPPORT AND PEER SUPPORT IS A UNIQUE AND GREAT SERVICE WHERE YOU ARE TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN SOBRIETY THEY HAVE HAD THE CERTIFICATION BEEN WHERE THAT PERSON IS.

>> LIKE BENNETT AND AMY, NEARLY OF THE 500 EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

>> THAT PEOPLE YOU CAN REACH OUT TO HERE THAT WON'T NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU.

THEY ALWAYS ANSWER THE PHONE AND GIVE YOU ALL THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO BE A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN IN SOCIETY.

>> WHEN I WAS A CLIENT, JUST WATCHING THE STAFF THERE AND HEARING THEIR STORIES ABOUT HOW THEY SURVIVED AND HOW THEY COME OUT ON THE OTHER END OF THAT.

IT GAVE ME HOPE.

IT WAS INSPIRING.

I REALLY TRULY WISH TO BE THAT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> MANY OF OUR MANAGERS, DIRECTORS, WE EVEN HAVE EXECUTIVE STAFF ONCE CLIENTS AT ISAIAH HOUSE.

THEY ARE WONDERFUL ROLE MODELS FOR NEW PEOPLE COMING IN.

>> THE CENTER AIMS TO OFFER A MIND, BODY AND SOUL APPROACH TO RECOVERY AND THEY PARTNER WITH KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO HELP CLIENTS FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION.

>> AT PRESENT GOING INTO THE FALL WE HAVE OVER 100 OF OUR CLIENTS WHO ARE GOING TO BE GETTING DEGREES OR CERTIFICATIONS.

>> ISAIAH HOUSE ALSO WORKS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF ADDICTION BY ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSE.

>> THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION IS A CYCLE AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT KEEPS SOMEONETH THAT CYCLE OF ADDICTION.

A LOT OF TIMES IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS WHETHER THAT BE PAST TRAUMA, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY.

>> IT'S OFTEN STIGMA THAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM SEEKING TREATMENT AND SHE HOPES MORE PEOPLE WILL GET THE HELP THEY NEED TO TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND.

>> THE GREAT THING IS WE HAVE GREAT SERVICES IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY NOT JUST ISAIAH HOUSE BUT OTHER SERVICES WHO HAVE PROVIDED THAT TO HELP US FIGHT THIS EPIDEMIC.

>> RECOVERY IS A LIFELONG ENDEAVOR.

SO YOU MUST CONTINUALLY EVALUATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

YOU MUST HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE AND YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY WORK TO IMPROVE YOURSELF.

>> IT WILL HAPPEN.

IT WILL HAPPEN.

JUST STAY STRONG DON'T GIVE UP.

AND DO IT FOR YOURSELF BEFORE YOU CAN DO IT OR MAKE ANYONE ONE ELSE HAPPY DO IT FOR YOURSELF.

>> Renee: WORDS TO LIVE BY.

WE THANK LAURA ROGERS FOR THAT STORY.

THE ISAIAH HOUSE TREATMENT CENTER LIFE CENTER WHICH WILL BE LOCATED IN HARRISBURG WILL EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION FOR WOMEN WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND OPIOID USE DISORDER AND EXPAND INSTRUCTION AND COLLEGE CERTIFICATION AND DEGREE PROGRAMS AND THE COMMUNITY SPACE WILL BE USED FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES 12 STEP MEETING AND PARENTING PLACES.

AND TO JENNIFER HANCOCK VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA MID-STATES THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE HAVE HAD YOU HERE.

AND I KNOW YOU KNOW WELL ABOUT DEALING WITH THE CO-OCCURRING DIAGNOSES MENTAL HEALTH TRAUMA, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND I WANT YOU TO TALK ABOUT HOW YOU ARE SERVING WOMEN AT THE FREEDOM HOUSE AND THAT'S BEEN A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM FOR 30 YEARS.

>> THAT RIGHT.

WE'RE CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF FREEDOM HOUSE WE STARTED IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE THE SUCCESSFUL MODEL THAT IS ONLY BEEN DONE IN THIS URBAN ENVIRONMENT AND SHOW IT'S REPUBLIC CABLE TO RURAL KENTUCKY AND SOON WE WILL BE ADDING LOCATIONS IN STANFORD, OWENSBORO AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY.

WE ARE PROUD OF THAT AND THE SUPPORT WE'VE RECEIVED FROM THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES WE SEE THE RESULTS OF THIS MODEL EVERYDAY.

WE'RE TRADING TRAUMA NOT TRADING SYMPTOMS BUT ROOT CAUSES.

AND WE ARE DOING IT IN AN INNER GENERATIONAL WAY.

WE'RE TREATING THEM IN AN AGE APPROPRIATE WAY AND HELPING THEM HEAL FROM THE IMPACT ADDICTION HAS HAD ON THEIR LIVES.

WE KNOW THIS CAN'T BE ALISHED IN 30 DAYS IT'S OUR GOAL TO WORK FOR FAMILIES FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS THROUGH TREATMENT, THROUGH RECOVERY HOUSING AND AFTER CARE THROUGH OUR RECOVERY COMMUNITY CENTERS THAT WE'RE RECENTLY FUNDED BY THE OPIOID ABATEMENT COMMISSION SO WE CAN DO MORE OF THAT LONG-TERM WORK REALLY DEVELOPING AN ECOSYSTEM FOR THE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY ADDICTION RECOGNIZING IT'S US FOR THE LONG HAUL.

WE CAN'T BE IN IT FOR AN OVERNIGHT TREATMENT EXPERIENCE IT HAS TO BE THE LONG-TERM ENTIRE PACKAGE FOR FAMILIES TO HEAL.

>> Renee: RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR WOMEN?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S RESIDENTIAL AND HAS A STEP DOWN PROCESS THAT FIRST PHASE OF TREATMENT IS CLINICALLY RIGOROUS WE'RE TREATING TRAUMA AND IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME AND CREDENTIALS AND EXPERTISE WITH PEER SUPPORT.

WE HAVE A HYBRID MODEL A CLINICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WITH PEER SUPPORT THAT ENABLES OUR RESIDENTS TO DO THE HARDEST WORK WHILE THEY ARE SITTING STILL FOR A FIRST-TIME TO REFLECT ON THAT ROOT CAUSE.

>> Renee: ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE FREEDOM HOUSE IS IT ENGAGES THE WHOLE FAMILY IT'S MOM, CHILD, SIGNIFICANT OTHERS ARE PART OF THE RECOVERY PROCESS.

TALK TO US ABOUT THAT?

>> WE KNOW THIS CANNOT BE ISOLATED AT AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL WE HAVE TO TREAT IT AS THE FAMILY SYSTEM LEVEL WHEN WE BRING ALL PARTIES TOGETHER, SOMETIMES IT IS A GRANDPARENT OR AUNT AND HELP MOM LEARN HOW TO REACQUIRE THE PARENTING SKILLS AND REACQUIRE THE RESPONSIBILITY AND THE AUTHORITY TO TAKE CARE OF HER CHILDREN OFTENTIMES THERE'S ALREADY BEEN CHILD WELFARE INVOLVEMENT.

WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF REUNITING THE FAMILY IN A THERAPEUTIC WAY.

AGAIN WRAPPING THE SUPPORTS AROUND THEM IN AN INDIVIDUALIZED, EVIDENCE-BASED WAY.

WE DO PARENT CHILD THERAPY.

TO HELP MOM GET IN BACK IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

>> MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT?

>> AS APPROPRIATE FOR OUR RESIDENTS THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO THEM ON OUR CAMPUSES.

WE MAKE SURE IT'S MEDICALLY SUPERVISED AS PART OF A MASTER TREATMENT PLAN WITH THE GOAL WE WANT THEM TO TAPER AS APPROPRIATE AND MONITOR THAT SO THAT AS THEY BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT AND CAPABLE OF MANAGING THE WITHDRAWAL, AND MANAGING ALL OF THOSE RISK FACTORS THAT MAY HAVE THEM OTHERWISE RETURN TO USE WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THAT AND TAPER THEM.

>> Renee: TALK ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE BABIES THAT ARE BORN WITHOUT NEONATAL SYNDROME?

>> LAST YEAR WE KNOW IN KENTUCKY THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR A NEWBORN EXPOSED TO SUBSTANCES WAS 18 DAYS.

OUR PROGRAMS AND OUR RECORDS SO FAR 3-AND-A-HALF DAYS.

TWO DAYS IS OUR AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IN LOUISVILLE.

AND FIVE DAYS IN MANCHESTER AT THREE-AND-A-HALF.

WE'RE BEATING THAT STATE AVERAGE.

NOT ONLY DOES THAT REPRESENT A REAL SOCIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT BECAUSE THE THEY ARE STARTING LIVE WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH WITHDRAWAL GETTING TO COME HOME AND START THAT BONDING PROCESS.

WE'RE REPRESENTING THAT IN AN ECONOMIC WAY.

AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT THERE IS A REAL COST SAVINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS WHY WE'VE RECEIVED SO MUCH SUPPORT FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND OUR MCO PARTNERS AND PRIVATE PHILANTHROPISTS.

>> Renee: YOU ARE SHAKING YOUR HEAD YOU'RE PROUD OF THE WORK BEING DONE HERE.

YOU ARE A BIG ADVOCATE FOR MATERNAL HEALTH AND THIS IS ANOTHER COMPONENT TO THAT.

TALK TO US HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE WORK THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS DOING TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S SO EXCITING TO HEAR JENIFER TALK ABOUT THE FREEDOM HOUSE AND THE WORK THEY ARE DOING.

AS A FORMER NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE BIRTH I SAW THOSE BABIES AND THE DIFFICULTY IT IS CAUSES THEM.

LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS ARE SOMETHING WE HAVE NOT REALLY TALKED ABOUT.

THAT IS A REAL PART OF BABIES WHO ARE OPIOID EXPOSED.

AND SO TO BE ABLE TO SHORTEN THEIR STAYS IS PHENOMENAL.

AND TO JUST HEAL THE FAMILY.

SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF JENIFER'S WORK.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS REALLY PUT A LOT OF EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS IN PLACE.

WE HAVE STARTED WITH STANDARDS OF CARE AND TREATMENT THAT WAS A VERY EARLY INTERVENTION.

WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING FROM THE FUNDING MORE OF THE TREATMENT BEDS.

WE HAVE ADDRESSED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.

WE'VE ADDRESSED REENTRY.

SO WE ARE PUTTING A LOT OF THE PUZZLE PIECES IF YOU WILL TOGETHER.

AND I THINK WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME OF THE GREAT OUTCOMES THAT WE'VE HOPED FOR.

THE HARM REDUCTION EFFORTS THAT WE'VE MADE OVER THE YEARS ARE REALLY PAYING OFF.

AND HARM REDUCTION ARE JUST THOSE INTERVENTIONS THEY ARE EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS THAT JUST KEEP FOLKS FROM SUFFERING HARM.

SO BIKE HELMETS ARE A HARM REDUCTION METHOD.

SUNSCREEN PREVENTS SKIN CANCER AND NALOXONE SAVES LIVES.

SOME OF THESE ARE COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS.

THEY ARE EVIDENCE-BASED.

AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS REALLY GOTTEN BEHIND THEM.

I'M PROUD OF THOSE EFFORTS.

>> Renee: I DO WANT TO GO BACK TO A POINT SHE MADE ABOUT THE LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS THAT PERHAPS THE YOUNG BABIES START OFF LIFE WITH.

IS THAT BEING ADDRESSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND JENIFER WHAT ARE THE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS LIKE?

>> IT'S SPEECH, THESE YOUNG PEOPLE NEED SPEECH THERAPY, PHYSICAL THERAPY, OCTOBER MAKESSAL THERAPY.

THESE ARE FIRST STEP KIDS AND CONSUMING A LOT OF HEALTHCARE IN THEIR FIRST THREE YEARS AND THEY HAVE CHALLENGES IN THE CLASSROOM.

ONE OF THE THINGS AT VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA WE'VE LAUNCHED PROJECT STRONG THE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STUDY THAT WILL ENABLE US TO FOLLOW THESE MOMS AND INFANTS AND CHILDREN FOR FIVE YEARS POST DISCHARGE TO SEE HOW KIDS ARE PERFORMING READY TO KINDERGARTEN AFTER BEING BORN TO MOMS IN OUR PROGRAM.

HAS MOM RETURNED TO ABUSE?

THIS FIRST STUDY FUNDED BY A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HUMANA FOUNDATION AND A PRIVATE DONOR WHO WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS WHAT A GIFT TO HELP US WATCH THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS WITH CHILDREN WITH LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT DELAYS.

>> WELL, I MEAN I JUST AGREE.

I THINK THAT ANYTIME THAT WE PUT SOME RECOVERY EFFORTS IN PLACE THAT HEAL THE FAMILY AND PREVENT LONG-TERM ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND THE PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE START TOO LONG SEE AND I MEAN IT'S NOT SO EARLY IN THE PROCESS THAT WE DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS HAVING REAL EFFECTS ON KIDS.

ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO HEAL THE MOMS AND THE FAMILIES TOGETHER IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE OUR GOAL.

>> Renee: JOURNEY TO RECOVERY IS INDIVIDUAL.

AND IT HAS TO BE INDIVIDUALIZED.

AND RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE.

AND ONE MAN'S JOURNEY SHOWS US JUST THAT.

KUNGU NJUGUNA WORKS FOR THE A.C.L.U.

OF KENTUCKY AS A POISY STRATEGIST BUT THIS PATH WAS FAR FROM LINEAR HE BEGAN USING SUBSTANCES AT A YOUNG AGE NOW SEVEN YEARS IN RECOVERY HE IS WORKING TO CHANGE PERCEPTIONS AND POLICY TO HELP OTHERS IN THE SAME COURSE.

WE HAVE HIS STORY.

>> THE WAR ON DRUGS IS A FAILED WAR.

IT IS A WAR REALLY ON PEOPLE.

AND IN PARTICULAR BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE.

WE HAVE 50 YEARS OF A WAR ON DRUGS AND YET HERE WE SIT TODAY TALKING ABOUT ADDICTION AND RECOVERY.

IT'S NOT WORKING.

>> KUNGU NJUGUNA HAS A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WAR ON DRUGS.

HE IS IN HIS SEVENTH YEAR IN RECOVERY.

>> WHEN I WAS IN MY ADDICTION, I WASN'T NOR HAVE I EVER BEEN AN ENEMY COMBATANT OF THIS COMMONWEALTH OR A NATION.

I WAS A SICK PERSON TRYING TO GET WELL AND I FOUND MY MEDICINE IN RECOVERY.

>> KUNGU NJUGUNA SAYS HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH DRUGS AND ALCOHOL BEGAN YOUNG AT 13.

AND THAT IT SPIRALED OUT OF CONTROL AFTER TAKING A JOB IN LOUISVILLE AT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

>> WHILE I WAS HERE AS A COUNTY ATTORNEY MY ADDICTION SPIRALED OUT OF CONTROL.

I EVENTUALLY GOT ARRESTED.

I FIRED MYSELF FROM THIS JOB.

AND THINGS REALLY SPIRALED OUT OF CONTROL.

I WAS ON THE NEWS.

IN THE NEWSPAPER.

AFTER THAT, I DISTANCED MYSELF FROM MY FAMILY AND MY FRIENDS.

AND I ENDED UP MY ADDICTION GOT WORSE TO HEROIN AND METH.

>> HIS ADDICTION LED TO A FREE FALL OF HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER AND HIS PERSONAL LIFE.

HE WAS SUSPENDED FROM THE BAR.

HE SEPARATED HIMSELF FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

HE SPENT TIME HOMELESS.

>> THE SYSTEM GAVE ME INCARCERATIONS AND FINES AND FEES I COULDN'T PAY.

WHAT I NEEDED WAS HELP.

I NEEDED A MENTAL HEALTH BED.

I NEEDED A DETOX BED I NEEDED TO GO TO RECOVERY.

>> NOW, HE CAN SEE PEOPLE IN RECOVERY NEED.

>> .

>> WE HAVE A JAIL CELL FOR SOMEONE BUT WE DON'T HAVE A DETOX BED A MENTAL HEALTH BED THAT IS WHAT WE NEED.

THIS IS A HEALTH CRISIS NOT A CRIMINAL LEGAL CRISIS.

>> KUNGU NJUGUNA GOT HELP THROUGH HIS BROTHER ALSO IN RECOVERY AND FOUND THE BED AND THE HELP HE NEEDED AT THE HEALING PLACE.

>> EVENTUALLY I FOUND MY WAY TO 10TH AND MARKET THE HEALING PLACE.

I WENT THROUGH THE LONG-TERM RECOVERY PROGRAM.

WAS THERE FOR NINE MONTHS.

>> AND ONCE SOBER THE COMMUNITY, HIS COMMUNITY, PICKED HIM UP AND HELPED HIM GET A JOB.

>> YOU KNOW ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY THE LEGAL COMMUNITY I HAD FRIENDS AND WHEN THEY FOUND OUT I WAS GETTING SOBER THEY WERE LIKE HEY I HAVE A JOB FOR YOU.

I WAS ABLE TO FIND WORK AND GOT MY LAW LICENSE BACK WAS PRACTICING LAW FOR A LITTLE BIT.

AND THEN A JOB OPENED UP AT THE A.C.L.U.

AND I MOVED THERE.

>> NOW, HE IS WORKING TO HELP OTHERS LIKE HIMSELF STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION BUT LOOKING FOR HELP.

AS A POLICY ANALYST HE WAS WORKING TO GET LEGISLATION PASSED THAT WILL CHANGE FOR THE PATH FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES AND NEED HELP JUST LIKE HIM.

>> I'VE BEEN THROUGH THINGS.

ADDICTION TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME AND RECOVERY HAS GIVE 10 ALL BACK PLUS MORE.

>> FOR KET, I'M CASEY PARKER BELL.

>> Renee: THANK YOU FOR THAT.

SECRETARY ERIC FRIEDLANDER I WANT TO PICK UP WHERE HE LEFT THAT AT ADDICTION TOOK EVERYTHING BUT RECOVERY GAVE IT ALL BACK PLUS MORE.

WHEN YOU HEAR THAT TESTIMONY ABOUT WHAT IS POSSIBLE AND THE JOURNEY TO RECOVERY THAT IS INDIVIDUALIZED CAN YOU EXBOUND ON THAT AND THE SUCCESS OF KUNGU NJUGUNA?

>> SURE.

THAT WAS A POWERFUL STORY.

EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN UNIQUE PATH TO FIND THEIR WAY TO RECOVERY.

IT'S ACTUALLY WHERE I STARTED.

THE FACT THAT COMMUNITIES CAN COME AROUND FOLKS AND SUPPORT THEM.

THE FACT THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO GET PEOPLE TO RECOVERY NOT TO INCARCERATION, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS LAST SESSION REALLY PASSED IMPORTANT LEGISLATION AROUND DIVERSION FROM INCARCERATION TO TREATMENT.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THAT.

THAT'S OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH SOME OF THE FUNDING COMING THROUGH THE OPIOID ABATEMENT TASK FORCE SO WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO IS PROVIDE MORE SERVICES, MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH BEDS IN THE COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVE EXPANDED THAT NUMBER OF BEDS TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF FOLKS.

WE ARE -- ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY WE ARE LOOKING AT A MOBILE CRISIS PIECE WHICH IS GOING TO HELP FOLKS AS THEY ACTUALLY GO OUT TO FOLKS WHO ARE HOMELESS AND GET THEM SERVICES.

THEY DON'T NEED A JAIL CELL.

THEY NEED A ROOM TO STAY.

THEY DON'T NEED INCARCERATION.

THEY NEED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THESE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS WE HAVE TO DO AS A COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE IF WE DON'T, WE END UP PAYING INCARCERATION COSTS.

WE END UP PAYING COSTS IN ACROSS ALL OUR COMMUNITIES IF WE DON'T WORK ON HARM REDUCTION WE END UP LOOKING LIKE SCOTTSBURG, INDIANA WHERE WE HAVE THE HIV OUTBREAK ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

AND WE CAN AND SHOW THAT TIME AND AGAIN WHEN OUR COMMUNITIES COME TOGETHER THE HEALING COMMUNITIES THAT COME TOGETHER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.

AND THAT'S WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO REMEMBER THAT WE CAN DO, IT IS POSSIBLE.

IF WE'RE INTENTIONAL ABOUT OUR POLICIES.

IF WE WORK TOGETHER.

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND NOT JUST OUR COMMUNITIES BUT IN INDIVIDUAL'S LIVES AND THEIR FAMILY'S LIVES.

>> Renee: I WANT TO PICK UP A POINT THAT WE HEARD KUNGU NJUGUNA TALK ABOUT THE PERCEPTION TREATING THE DRUG CRISIS AS A HEALTH CRISIS AND NOT A CRIMINAL JUSTICE ONE HOW DO YOU RATE KENTUCKY AND THE POSITION THEY ARE TAKING?

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL THE FACTORS HERE.

BUT LET'S REMEMBER THAT THE WAY THAT WE TAKE BETTER CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY IS TAKING CARE OF ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO LOOKING AT OUR MOST VULNERABLE PATIENTS WHETHER IT'S FOLKS WHO HAD SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA IN CHILDHOOD, WHETHER IT'S INDIVIDUALS WHO COULDN'T GET ACCESS TO CARE, THOSE THINGS ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT BUT WE ALSO NEED TO TRY TO -- WE STILL INCARCERATE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HERE IN KENTUCKY.

WE NEED TO MOVE TREATMENT INTO THOSE SETTINGS AS WELL.

SO I THINK THERE IS A WORLD WHEREAS A COMMONWEALTH WE MOVE FORWARD WITH A FOCUS ON BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

>> Renee: JOINING ME NOW IS NANCY HAIL WHO HAS BEEN A LONGTIME WARRIOR IN THIS BATTLE AGAINST ADDICTION THANK YOU IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

OPERATE UNITE MEANING UNLAWFUL NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS TREATMENT AND EDUCATION AND REFLECTS THE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH BEING TAKEN AROUND SINCE 2013.

YOU'VE BEEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SINCE 2015.

AND THIS IS PERSONAL FOR YOU.

DO YOU MIND SHARING THAT?

>> THIS IS OPERATION UNITE'S 20TH YEAR IN EXISTENCE.

I CAME INTO OPERATION UNITAS AN EDUCATOR AND ONE WHO READ THE HERALD LEADER'S REPORT PRESCRIPTION FOR PAIN AND WAS VERY GLAD TO SEE THAT MY HOME COUNTY WAS NOT ONE MENTIONED AND THE PROBLEM CAME TO OUR FAMILY'S DOORSTEP.

AND SUDDENLY YOU ARE CONFRONTED WITH 20 YEARS AGO, WHAT DO YOU DO?

WHO DO YOU TURN TO?

THERE WERE VERY FEW TREATMENT FACILITIES IF ANY.

AND AS AN EDUCATOR MY HUSBAND AND I REALIZED WE WERE NOT DOING THE JOB IN SCHOOLS WITH PREVENTION EDUCATION.

OUR SON IS NOW IN RECOVERY LONG-TERM RECOVERY FOR 15 YEARS.

HE IS AN ATTORNEY.

AND HE ALSO HE AND HIS WIFE WHO IS IN RECOVERY, OWN AND OPERATE TWO TREATMENT FACILITIES IN GEORGIA.

THEY ARE GIVING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

BUT LOOKING BACK AT WHAT WE WENT THROUGH, THOSE DAYS WITH JOSHUA, WE BEGAN TO SEE AS EDUCATORS THE NEED FOR A STRONG PREVENTION FOUNDATION.

AND TO JUST LIKE WE ALL KNOW THAT RECOVERY IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY, PREVENTION IS LIFELONG, TOO.

AND WE'RE CONSTANTLY BECAUSE THE DRUG CRISIS THE ADDICTION CRISIS ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE THEY ARE NOT STABLE.

THEY ARE EVER CHANGING.

EVOLVING.

SO THE NEED FOR AWARENESS, THE NEED FOR EDUCATION, IS LIFELONG.

BUT THE KEY TO IT IS STARTING EARLY ENOUGH.

>> Renee: AND THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING THROUGH CAMPS AND ACTIVITIES?

>> MANY RESOURCES AND WE'RE SEEING THE RESULTS.

WE WATCHED THE 2017 KET PROGRAM.

AND THERE WERE MANY FACES THAT YEAR FEATURED CAMP UNITE.

THERE WERE MANY FACES THAT ARE NOW YOUNG ADULTS.

>> I GET A LITTLE EMOTIONAL.

WHO ARE NOW IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THEY ARE THE LEADERS.

THEY ARE INVOLVED IN THEIR COALITIONS.

THEY SEE THE NEED FOR PREVENTION WITH THEIR FAMILIES WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND SO YOU KNOW, PREVENTION IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS OVERNIGHT.

AND KENTUCKY HAS FACED THE CRISIS WE'VE BEEN VERY REACTIVE.

OUR BACKS WERE AGAINST THE WALL IN MANY CASES.

WE NEED TO MOVE THAT TO BEING MORE PRO-ACTIVE AND THAT IS WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THE EDUCATION PREVENTION PROGRAMS DEVELOPING THAT AWARENESS.

I KNOW WITH HARM REDUCTION IS A TOPIC.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE VALUE OF THAT.

BUT I WILL SAY THIS... VAN INGRAM HEARD ME SAY THIS MAYBE A THOUSAND TIMES, BUT DRUG PREVENTION IS THE BEST HARM REDUCTION.

>> Renee: WELL, WE THANK YOU NANCY HAIL FOR BEING ON THE BATTLEFIELD AND GOD BLESS YOU AND THE PEOPLE WE MET A FEW YEARS AGO NOW WHO ARE REACHING ONE BECAUSE THEY WERE TAUGHT AND THROUGH YOU AND WE THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Renee: THANK YOU, NANCY.

KEEPING DRUGS OUT OF YOUTH'S HANDS IS A PRIORITY BUT FOR THOSE IN THE GRIP OF ADDICTION PERHAPS CYCLING IN AND OUT OF TREATMENT WHAT HELPS KEEP THEM ALIVE?

YOU'VE LIKELY HEARD ABOUT NARCAN WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS AND FENTANYL TESTING STRIPS THESE ARE TOOLS USED IN WHAT IS CALLED HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES WAYS TO HELP THOSE IN ADDICTION STAY ALIVE AND PREVENT FATAL OVERDOSES.

MORE THAN HALF OF KENTUCKY'S COUNTIES HAVE SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS FOR DRUG USERS.

THES STILL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT STARTED OFFERING SERVICES THROUGH THE MOBILE CLINIC.

WE SENT A KET CREW OUT TO VISIT ONE OF THE SITES AND SPOKE WITH HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO SAY THE SYRINGE EXCHANGE DOESN'T ENABLE DRUG USE BUT A GATEWAY TO GET SOMEONE ON THE PATH OF SOBRIETY AND MAKE COMMUNITIES SAFER.

>> .

>> WE WORKOUT OF IT SO IT GIVES US PRIVACY FOR EVERYONE.

WE OFFER SYRINGE EXCHANGE.

WE DO HIV AND HEP-C TESTING AND OFFER WOUND CARE EDUCATION AND KITS.

WE DO REFERRALS TO TREATMENT FOR HEP-C IF THEY ARE POSITIVE.

>> WE HEAR ALL THE TIME WHY DO THEY NEED NARCAN.

WE L NEED TO LET PEOPLE DIE.

THAT IS SAD.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THEY DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE AN ADDICT.

>> THE HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM IS NOT TO KEEP SOMEONE FROM USING DRUGS.

IT'S TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.

AND THAT MEANS TO PROTECT DRUG USERS AS WELL AS OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

IN A WAY TO DO THAT IS GIVING THEM CLEAN NEEDLES SO THEY ARE NOT SHARING THEY ARE NOT SHARING AND SPREADING DISEASES.

AND YOU THROW AWAY A NEEDLE AND GET RID OF IT AND SOMEBODY ELSE DOESN'T GET IT IT DOESN'T HARM JUST ANY CITIZEN.

>> WE'VE HAD PARTICIPANTS TELL US THEY'VE USED THE SAME NEEDLE FOR MONTHS AND SHARPEN IT ON CONCRETE OR BRICK WALLS AND DRAW WATER OUT OF MUD HOLES.

SO YOU KNOW, TO ME, IF WE CAN STOP THAT FROM OCCURRING, THAT'S THE MAIN THING.

HEPATITIS CAN LIVE ON THESE SURFACES FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS.

THE RISK OF YOU STEPPING ON A NEEDLE THAT'S BEEN USED MULTIPLE TIMES AND YOU GETTING HEP-C IS VERY HIGH.

BUT YOU STEPPING ON A NEEDLE USED ONE TIME, YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING HEP-C IS LOW.

SO YOU LOOK AT THOSE STATISTICS AND IT MAKES MORE SENSE.

BUT IT'S HARD TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES.

>> WE'VE HAD TO COME TO TERMS WITH IT AT FIRST, TOO.

BECAUSE WE THOUGHT LONG AND HARD ABOUT IT.

BUT IN THE END IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY NOT JUST PROVIDING -- WE'RE NOT ENABLING PEOPLE.

WE'RE NOT ENCOURAGING IT.

PEOPLE ARE USING WHETHER WE GIVE THEM CLEAN NEEDLES OR NOT.

AND SO WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING THAT WILL AT LEAST HELP PROTECT EVERYBODY ELSE AND THEM AS WELL AND THIS IS JUST THE BEST WAY THAT WE FOUND WE CAN DO THAT.

>> WE ALSO OFFER TREATMENT REFERRALS FOR REHAB AND THINGS LIKE THAT IF THEY ARE INTERESTEDDED WHEN THEY ARE READY FOR REHAB.

>> REMEMBER THESE ARE PEOPLE.

THEY ARE ALL CRYING OUT FOR HELP IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER.

>> THEY ARE ALL VERY THANKFUL AND VERY APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT WE DO EVERY TIME THEY COME.

ANYBODY THAT COMES IS THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS.

THANK YOU FOR THINKING OF US.

THANK YOU FOR TREATING US LIKE HUMANS.

>> SOMETIMES YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM A HUG AND SOMETIMES WE DO.

BECAUSE THEY TELL US THEIR STORIES AND IT'S HARD NOT TO WANT TO LOVE ON THEM WHEN YOU HEAR THAT THEY GET SHUNNED BY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE DONE WRONG AND DONE THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT IS NOT THE BEST BUT THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS IN THE END THEY ARE STILL PEOPLE THAT CAN BE LOVED AND NEED TO BE LOVED.

AND WHEN YOU HEAR THEM SAY YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON THAT CARES ABOUT US, THAT'S SAD.

IT'S REALLY SAD.

>> TO ME, IF WE HAVE 100 PARTICIPANTS AND ONE GOES TO REHAB THAT IS WORTH IT TO ME.

YOU KNOW, THE GOAL WITH ALL OF THIS IS TO STOP THE SPREAD OF DISEASES BUT IT'S ALSO TO GET PEOPLE HELP.

AND IF WE CAN DO THAT, THEN I FEEL LIKE WE CAN GO HOME WITH GOOD CONSCIENCE AND SAY WE DID OUR JOB.

>> Renee: THEY CAN SAY THEY DID THEIR JOB, VAN INGRAM YOU WERE NODDING YOUR HEAD THROUGHOUT THAT ENTIRE PIECE.

>> 2015 WHEN SYRINGE SERVICE PROGRAMS WERE BEING DEBATED AND I TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ABOUT THEM I SAID THERE IS A LOT MORE THAT GOES ON THAN EXCHANGING NEEDLES.

THE OPPOSITE OF ADDICTION IS CONNECTION.

PEOPLE NEED A CONNECTION.

SERVICE PROGRAMS START TO PROVIDE THAT.

WE TAKE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHECKED OUT ANY TYPE OF HEALTHCARE AND NOW THEY ARE HAVING REGULAR INTERACTIONS WITH A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.

THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO THE BIG PICTURE HOW WE'RE GOING TO BEAT THIS IN THIS STATE AND COUNTRY.

>> Renee: THE OPPOSITE OF ADDICTION IS CONNECTION.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT NARCAN KITS, THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZED THE USE OF OVER-THE-COUNTER.

WE THINK THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE NOW BUT SECRETARY FRIEDLANDER, I WANT TO COME TO YOU ABOUT WHERE YOU CAN GET IT AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST IS IT COVERED BY MEDICAID AND PRIVATE INSURANCE?

>> YOU GET NARCAN FROM ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT PLACES.

WE HAVE PARTNERS WHERE WE DISTRIBUTE PHARMACIES AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE CENTERS I ASSUME THROUGH HOSPITALS.

THERE ARE MANY PLACES WHERE YOU CAN GET NARCAN.

WE SUPPLY THROUGH THE CORE PROGRAM.

THERE HAVE BEEN REQUESTS TO THE OPIOID ABATEMENT TASK FORCE ON FOR HOW WE CAN FUND SO FOLKS CAN GET NARCAN AT NO COST.

WE WERE AT THE STATE FAIR LAST YEAR.

AND WE HAD NARCAN ON ON BOOTH AND TAUGHT PEOPLE HOW TO USE IT.

IT'S NOT THAT HARD.

YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO USE IT.

IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE.

SO YOU CAN GET NARCAN FROM MANY PLACES.

YOU CAN GET IT FOR FREE AT A PHARMACY.

YES IT'S COVERED BY MEDICAID AND OFTEN COVERED BY PRIVATE INSURANCE.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET THAT.

ANYONE CAN CARRY NARCAN.

OF CAN YOU COME ACROSS SOMEONE IN THE STREET WHO IS IN ACTIVE OVERDOSE AND IF YOU HAVE A NARCAN KIT WITH YOU, YOU CAN SAVE THEIR LIVES.

>> Renee: IMPORTANT WORDS FOR US TO KNOW.

AS WE WRAP UP TONIGHT WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES REMAINING, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE SUPPLY SIDE OF DEADLY SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS LIKE FENTANYL AND HOW KENTUCKY'S FEDERAL DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON IS RESPONDING.

CONGRESSMAN SERVED AS THE ORIGINAL SPONSOR OF THE HALT FENTANYL ACT THAT PASSED THE U.S. HOUSE AT THE END OF MAY AND PERMANENTLY CLASSIFY ALL FENTANYL IN THE MOST DANGEROUS CATEGORY SCHEDULE ONE SUBJECTING THEM TO THE SAME CRIMINAL SENTENCES THAT OTHER LETHAL DRUGS GET.

IT IS NOW WAITING FOR ACTION IN THE U.S. SENATE IN LATE JUNE, SENATE REPRESENT LEADER MITCH McCONNELL ANNOUNCED THAT BULLET COUNTY WILL BE PART OF THE APPALACHIAN HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA PROGRAM JOINING 38 COUNTIES WITH THAT DESIGNATION THAT BRINGS MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR PERSONNEL, RESOURCES AND TRAINING.

LEADER McCONNELL HAD THIS TO SAY THAT THAT ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> WE'VE TRIED TO DO IN MY OFFICE IS TO FOCUS ON THIS AS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO GET RESULTS.

THIS DESIGNATION WILL HELP EQUIP BULLET COUNTY WITH THE RESOURCES IT NEEDS TO COMBAT DRUG TRAFFICS AND THE VIOLENCE THAT COMES ALONG WITH IT.

IT WILL GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT A FIGHTING CHANCE AT CUTTING OFF THE FLOW OF ILLICIT DRUGS AT ITS SOURCE AND HELP THEM GO AFTER PEOPLE PROFITING FROM OUR STATE'S ADDICTION EPIDEMIC.

>> Renee: BRYAN HUBBARD THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART, LAW ENFORCEMENT, TRAFFICKING, THAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO THAT TONIGHT BUT THAT IS PART OF WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN KENTUCKY A FOCUS ON THAT.

>> MOST CERTAINLY LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL ROLE IN TRYING TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY FROM INFLUENCES WELL OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF THIS STATE THAT ARE COMPLETELY HOSTILE TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR PEOPLE.

WHETHER IT IS THEIR SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING OR PHYSICAL WELL-BEING.

THERE IS A HOSTILE POWER OVERSEAS THAT IS BUSY RUNNING PRECURSOR FACTORIES 24/7 USING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARTNERS TO SEE THE TRAFFICKING OF SUBSTANCES THAT POLLUTE THE STREET SUPPLY WHEREVER IT IS AVAILABLE.

WITH LETHALITY DEMONSTRATED BY THE STATISTICS THIS EVENING AND MAKING SURE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS RESOURCED WITH THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE WILL BE A PRIORITY SO LONG AS THIS PROBLEM EXISTS.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU ALL.

WE NEED MORE TIME.

BUT WE APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU'VE GIVEN US TONIGHT AND YOU'VE GIVEN US TONIGHT AND THE GREAT WORK YOU ALL DO IN THIS FIGHT.

GIVING CITIES AND COUNTIES TOOLS TO KEEP CITIZENS SAFE IS CRITICAL AND INSURING ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND REDUCING THE STIGMA OF GETTING HELP AND COMMUNICATING TO YOUTH USING JUST ONE TIME CAN HAVE IRREVERSIBLE CRISIS.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP WE HOPE YOU WILL JOT DOWN THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

TAKE GOOD CARE AND I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN SOON.