[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL EDITION OF "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" FOCUS ORANGE THE NATIONAL AND STATED DRUG EPIDEMIC.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND BY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LAST WEEK WE BROUGHT YOU CONVERSATIONS WITH MEMBERS OF KENTUCKY'S FEDERAL DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON.

TOP TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS RECOVERY ADVOCATES AND AMBASSADORS AS PART OF A REVIEW OF THE RECENT RX AND RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT HELD IN LATE APRIL IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

THE CONFERENCE WAS STARTED IN 2012 BY CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS OF KENTUCKY'S FIFTH DISTRICT.

TONIGHT YOU'LL HEAR FROM STATE AND REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS, ACTIVE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION.

THERE WAS GOOD NEWS ANNOUNCED BY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AT THE START OF MAY.

OVERDOSE DEATHS IN KENTUCKY DECREASED BY MORE THAN 30% LAST YEAR.

2024 WAS THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW FOR A DECREASETH KENTUCKY.

STILL 1410 KENTUCKIANS DIED OF AN OVERDOSE LAST YEAR.

HERE IS THE GOVERNOR AND THE STATE DRUG CONTROL POLICY DIRECTOR ON THE STATE'S MOST RECENT OVEROVERDOSE FATALITY REPORT.

>> Gov.

Andy Beshear: TODAY I'M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT IN 2024 KENTUCKY SAW A DECREASE OF 30.2% IN DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS COMPARED TO 2023.

THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN HOPING FOR AND PRAYING FOR.

AND WE SAW REDUCTIONS TWO YEARS IN A ROW, AND TWO YEARS AGO IT WAS EVEN ALMOST 10%.

BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE OUGHT TO GIVE EVERYONE WHO'S WORKED SO HARD TO GET TO THIS POINT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, RECOVERY OR TREATMENT HOPE THAT WE CAN DO MORE AND WE OWE THEM A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THAT WORK.

IN 2023 WE REPORTED A 9.8% DECREASE COMPARED TO THE PRIOR YEAR N2022 IT WAS A DECREASE OF 2.5% THAT YEAR WE WERE ONE OF FIVE STATES THAT SAW A DECREASE.

TODAY MARKS THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW THAT DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THE COMMONWEALTH HAVE DECLINED AND THIS ONE IS REALLY SUBSTANTIAL.

AND IT MEANS THAT MORE KENTUCKIANS ARE HERE WITH US TODAY.

AND THAT ALL THESE EFFORTS TOGETHER EVEN IN A WORLD WHERE THE DRUGS KEEP GETTING MORE POWERFUL, ARE WORKING AND THAT WE'VE GOT TO KEEP IT UP.

HOWEVER, TODAY'S CELEBRATION DOES NOT COME WITHOUT PAIN.

ACCORDING TO THE 2024 OVERDOSE FATALITY REPORT 1410 KENTUCKIANS LOST THEIR LIVES LAST YEAR TO A DRUG OVERDOSE.

THAT'S 1410 TOO MANY PEOPLE THAT WE LOST.

THESE ARE PEOPLE'S FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, EACH ONE A CHILD OF GOD TAKEN FROM US FAR TOO SOON.

IN 2024 WE NOT ONLY SAW THAT 30 PLUS PERCENT DECREASE IN OVERALL OVERDOSES, BUT THANKFULLY WE ALSO SAW A DECREASE AMONGST BLACK RESIDENTS IN KENTUCKY.

IF YOU REMEMBER LAST YEAR, WHEN WE WERE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT NEARLY 10% DECREASE, THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAD NOT SEEN A SIMILAR DECREASE.

WELL, LAST YEAR, WITH THIS REPORT THAT HAS JUST COME OUT THAT COMMUNITY SAW A 37.3% DECREASE.

MEANING THAT THIS GOOD NEWS HAS COME FOR ALL OF OUR KENTUCKY COMMUNITIES WITH NO ONE LEFT OUT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REPORT FENTANYL IS STILL VERY CONCERNING.

IT WAS PRESENT IN 62.3% OF OVERDOSE DEATHS.

METHAMPHETAMINE WAS PRESENT IN 55.4%.

THOSE TWO CONTINUE TO BE THE MOST PREVALENT AND ULTIMATELY MOST DEADLY DRUGS FOUND IN OVERDOSES.

THIS YEAR'S OVERDOSE REPORT ALSO INDICATES THAT ALL KENTUCKY AGE GROUPS SAW A DECREASE IN OVERDOSE DEATHS WITH THE INCREASE IN THOSE 75-84.

I'M THANKFUL THAT MORE KENTUCKIANS ARE ALIVE AND IN RECOVERY TODAY AND FEWER FAMILIES ARE GRIEVING THIS YEAR THAN IN ANY YEAR SINCE AT LEAST 2018.

WE WON'T STOP WORKING TO HELP EVERYONE OUT THERE THAT NEEDS HELP.

BUT IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION KNOW THAT THE TREATMENT AND RECOVERY OPTIONS OUT THERE ARE EFFECTIVE.

IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT SOMEONE GOING THROUGH ADDICTION RECOGNIZE THAT NARCAN AND ITS EQUIVALENTS WORK.

AND THEY CAN BRING YOUR LOVED ONE BACK AND MAKE SURE WE GIVE THEM THE NEXT CHANCE TO GET INTO TREATMENT AND HOPEFULLY RECOVERY.

IN KENTUCKY ALL OF US HAVE DEALT WITH THE HEARTACHE OF LOSING NOT JUST ONE PERSON BUT MULTIPLE PEOPLE THAT WE LOVE.

THIS AREA OF THE COUNTRY GOT HIT THE HARDEST AND WE LOST THE MOST CERTAINLY PER CAPITA.

SO TODAY'S NEWS SHOULD BE VERY MEANINGFUL TO ALL KENTUCKIANS AND IT OUGHT TO TELL US AN ESPECIALLY BASE METALLIC THAT AROSE IN OUR TIME WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DEFEAT IN OUR TIME.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE SHOULD LEAVE FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR GRANDKIDS THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO STRIVE TO DO BETTER AND BETTER AND BETTER AT ADDRESSING.

>> GOVERNOR THANKS FOR KEEPING THIS ISSUE ON THE TOP OF YOUR AGENDA FOR THE LAST FIVE-AND-A-HALF YEARS.

WE TALK ABOUT IT EVERYDAY AND WORK TOWARDS IT EVERYDAY AND WAITING FOR A LONGTIME.

IN 19, 20 AND 21 WHEN THE PANDEMIC WAS FIRING UP IN THE NUMBERS KEPT CLIMBING AND CLIMBING AND CLIMBING, WE SAW FENTANYL ON ALL OF OUR STREETS ALL OVER THE STATE.

IT WAS DISHEARTENING.

BUT TODAY SHOWS THE EFFORTS WE HAVE BEEN MAKING WILL WORK OVER TIME THEY WILL WORK.

>> Renee: DAYS BEFORE THE STATE OVERDOSE FATALITY REPORT WAS RELEASED, KET'S LAURA ROGERS CAUGHT UP WITH VAN INGRAM THE HEAD OF THE KENTUCKY OFFICE OF DRUG CONTROL POLICY ABOUT RECENT NATIONAL DATA THAT TRACKS WITH KENTUCKY'S 30% DECLINE IN OVERDOSE DEATHS.

AND THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS BATTLING ADDICTION AND AIDING IN RECOVERY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ADDICTION NUMBERS IN KENTUCKY.

BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW, WHAT DO THE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE AND ARE YOU HOPEFUL THEY ARE IMPROVING?

>> I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE IMPROVING.

A STUDY IN 2019 IDENTIFIED 160,000 KENTUCKIANS WITH AN OPIOID USE DISORDER THAT DID NOT COUNT STIMULANT DISORDER OR CANNABIS OR ALCOHOL JUST OPIOID USE DISORDER OVER 160,000 PEOPLE.

>> THAT IS CERTAINLY A LARGE NUMBER.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT MANY KENTUCKIANS BATTLING THIS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT FENTANYL.

WHAT IS ITS IMPACT?

WHEN WE LOOK AT FATAL OR NEAR FATAL OVERDOSES IS FENTANYL LARGELY TO BLAME?

>> FENTANYL 70% ALL OVERDOSE DEATHS INCLUDE FENTANYL IN THE TOXICOLOGY REPORT.

IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.

I WON'T BE SURPRISED IF THERE'S NOT A NEW SYNTHETIC OPIOID OUT IN NOT TOO MANY YEARS.

I THINK THAT THE POSSIBILITY IS GOOD THAT CARTELS WILL DEVELOP ANOTHER SIN THEN PARTICULAR OPIOID.

>> THIS IS ALMOST A NEVER ENDING BATTLE A NEW HILL TO OVERCOME.

RECOVERY EFFORTS ARE THERE CERTAIN APPROACHES THAT ARE YOU FINDING TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE?

>> PROUD OF OUR RECOVERY EFFORTS IN KENTUCKY.

WE STARTED A PROGRAM A FEW YEARS AGO, ON A SPONSORED BY BOWLING SIGNED BY GOVERNOR BESHEAR INTO LAW THAT CERTIFIES RECOVERY READY COMMUNITIES.

SO WE'VE PARTNERED WITH VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA MID-STATES TO GO INTO A COMMUNITY AND SAY THESE ARE THE THINGS YOU NEED TO HAVE TO BE RECOVERY READY AND HELP THEM DEVELOP THOSE PROGRAMS, PUT THOSE THINGS IN PLACE AND BE CERTIFIED JUST LIKE OUR STORM READY OR WORK READY WE'VE GOT 21 COMMUNITIES NOW IN KENTUCKY THAT ARE RECOVERY READY AND FOUR THAT WE'LL APPROVE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

EXCITED ABOUT THAT PROGRAM.

WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH GOODWILL, WITH THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER AND OTHERS TO PUT ON FAIRS, TO LINK -- WE HAVE A FAIR CHANCE ACADEMY WHERE WE BRING EMPLOYERS IN AND TEACH THEM HOW TO BE A FAIR CHANCE EMPLOYER HOW TO TAKE SOMEONE WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD OR ADDICTION HAD ISSUES AND WE CAN SHOW THEM THIS CAN BE AN EMPLOYEE THAT YOU CAN IDENTIFY WITH AND WORK HARD FOR YOU BECAUSE THEY ARE SO GRATEFUL TO BE AWAY FROM THAT DID DICK.

>> AND THAT CAN HELP THEM BE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY AND TO HAVE THAT JOB AND THAT GOAL TO WORK TOWARD.

KENTUCKY RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN OPIOID ABATEMENT SETTLEMENT FUNDS HOW IS SOME OF THAT MONEY BEING FUNNELED INTO RECOVERY PROGRAMS?

>> I'VE BEEN HONORED TO SERVE ON THE OPIOID ABATEMENT COMMISSION.

AND WE'VE FOCUSED ON PEOPLE IN RECOVERY TO STAY IN RECOVERY.

WE ASK WHAT ARE THE ISSUES AND WE HEAR TRANSPORTATION.

RECOVERY HOUSING.

AND EMPLOYMENT.

THOSE ARE THE THREE BIG A LOT OF THE GRANT MONEY WE'VE PUT OUT THROUGH THE ABATEMENT COMMISSION HAS BEEN THOSE THREE YEARS AND PREVENTION AND EDUCATION.

THE GENERAL ANNOUNCED A $3.6 MILLION PREVENTION INITIATIVE CALLED BETTER WITHOUT IT.

AND THAT'S REALLY AIMED AT 13-24-YEAR-OLDS.

SO I MAY NEVER SEE THE ADS BECAUSE I GET MY NEWS FROM THE SAME PLACE OR MY INFORMATION FROM THE SAME PLACE AS 13-24-YEAR-OLDS DO.

THIS PROGRAM WILL TARGET PEOPLE IN THAT DEMOGRAPHIC WHERE THEY LIVE.

>> AND THAT IS WONDERFUL BECAUSE SO MUCH WE TALK ABOUT IS CONCERNING RECOVERY AND TREATMENT WHICH IS VITAL.

BUT IF WE CAN PREVENT PEOPLE FROM GETTING HOOKED IN THE FIRST PLACE THAT WOULD BE A HUGE HELP IN THIS FIGHT.

ARE THERE CERTAIN COMMUNITIES YOU FIND ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY THE EPIDEMIC?

>> WE HAVE SEEN AFTER AMERICAN DEATHS INCREASED EVEN WHEN DEATHS WERE DECREASING LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT LEVELED OFF AND IT'S THAT THE CASE ANYMORE.

THERE WAS BLACK KENTUCKIANS WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY DYING AT A HIGHER RATE THAN THEIR COUNTERPARTS.

>> YOU'VE BEEN AT THE HELM OF THESE EFFORTS FOR A LONG TIME NOW AND YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND.

WHAT ARE WE SEEING IN THE LAST 5-10 YEARS, ARE YOU SEEING ANYTHING NEW HOW WE'RE TACKLING ADDICTION AND HOW WE'RE TREATING RECOVERY?

>> I THINK STATEMENT CONTINUES TO REDUCE.

THE STATE IS BETTER NOW THAN IT WAS A DOZEN YEARS AGO.

CERTAINLY, WE'VE LEARNED TO COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT MEDICATIONS TO TREAT OPIOID USE DISORDER CAN BE EFFECTIVE AND GIVE US THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP SOMEONE ALIVE.

JUST, I THINK THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE I'VE SEEN IN LITTLE TOWNS AND CITIES AND SUBURBS ACROSS KENTUCKY IS A WILLINGNESS ON THE PART OF PEOPLE TO ACCEPT PEOPLE IN RECOVERY.

AND TO INVEST IN THEM.

AND THAT'S WHAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> AND SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SEE HARM REDUCTION PROGRAMS THROUGH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

DO YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN MORE WHAT HARM REDUCTION MEANS AND DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT WITH FEDERAL FUNDING CHANGES?

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 84 SERVICE PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

BUT THERE IS A LOT MORE THAT GOES ON THERE THAN SYRINGE EXCHANGE.

WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO GET INTO TREATMENT IF THEY ARE PARTICIPATING IN A SS GROUP.

RATES OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES DECLINES WHEN PEOPLE USE AN SSP.

REALLY, WE TRY TO TAKE SOMEONE CHECKED OUT OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND PULL THEM BACK IN WITH A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.

AND WHAT WE SEE IS CONNECTION.

AND THE OPPOSITE OF ADDICTION IS CONNECTION.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES THOSE PROGRAMS SO IMPORTANT.

IS PEOPLE AREN'T JUDGED IN THOSE PROGRAMS THEY ARE NOT LECTURED IN THOSE PROGRAMS AND THEY ARE VALUED.

>> AND THEY ARE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND THAT CAN LEAD TO A CONVERSATION A DISCUSSION ABOUT.

>> WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

>> HOW CAN WE SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS.

VAN INGRAM WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME SO MUCH HERE AT THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT.

THANK YOU.

>> Renee: KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN BELIEVES THE GREATEST THREAT TO KENTUCKY KIDS IS THE DRUG EPIDEMIC.

THE STATE'S TOP COP WHO IS ALSO A FORMER F.B.I.

AGENT AND FEDERAL PROSECUTOR SAYS THE DRUG SCOURGE IS NOT RELEGATED TO I ACERTAIN PART OF TOWN OR REGION OF THE STATE.

ALONG WITH HIS ROLE, HE SAYS A STRONG PREVENTION MESSAGE IS CRUCIAL.

THAT ONE PILL CAN KILL.

>> IT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO OUR FAMILIES.

FULL STOP.

I AM A DAD BEFORE I'M ANY OF THOSE THINGS THAT I MENTIONED AND THIS ENVIRONMENT WHEREAS LITTLE AS ONE PILL AND YOU WILL HEAR THAT FROM OTHERS ONE PILL IT DOESN'T MAKE IT LESS TRUE, CAN AND IS KILLING.

WE'RE PROSECUTING CASES WHERE ONE PILL IS ROBBING THE LIVES OF FAMILIES.

IT IS KILLING YOUNG PEOPLE.

WHICH IS WHY I'M DOWN HERE TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND TALKING ABOUT SOLUTIONS.

>> WE DO KNOW WE ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS NATIONWIDE AND IN KENTUCKY OVERDOSE DEATHS HAVE BEEN TRENDING DOWNWARD.

PERHAPS NOT AS FAST AS YOU WOULD LIKE BUT ANY DECREASE IS WORTH CELEBRATING.

CAN YOU CONTEXTLIZE THAT FOR US ABOUT THOSE DECREASES AND MAYBE WHAT'S CAUSING THEM?

>> THERE ARE KIDS THAT AREN'T COMING HOME.

YOUNG KIDS THAT WE'RE LOSING.

OUR PROSECUTING A CASE OF A YOUNG MAN 17-YEAR-OLD YOUNG MAN FROM WESTERN KENTUCKY ON A SCHOLARSHIP TO COLLEGE TOOK A WHAT APPEARED TO BE A PERCOCET, A PAIN MEDICATION, GOING TO SCHOOL ON A SCHOLARSHIP FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP, HIS FATHER FOUND HIM THE NEXT DAY.

OUT OF RESPECT FOR HIS FAMILY I WILL NOT MENTION THIS NAME.

HIS PHOTO IS ON MY PHONE.

AND HIS SCHOLARSHIP SIGNING WITH THIS FAMILY WITH HIS FRIENDS AND HIGH SCHOOL ON MY PHONE, YEAH, WE'RE DOING BETTER.

AND I CELEBRATE EVERYONE OF THOSE LIVES BUT WE HAVE A LONG, LONG WAY TO GO.

THOSE SUCCESSES WE ARE HAVING, I ATTRIBUTE THEM TO DOING A BETTER JOB OF COLLABORATING.

WE ARE STARTING TO DO I A BETTER JOB TEARING DOWN SILOS.

ZEALOUS COLLABORATION.

I WOULD SHOW YOU MY CHALLENGE COINS IT'S SOMETHING THAT OUR TEAM TALKS ABOUT.

IT'SED CULTURE I'M BUILDING AND HOPE TO BUILD IN THE AG'S OFFICE.

IT IS A RECOGNITION THAT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WE DON'T NECESSARILY WORK WELL ACROSS JURISDICTIONAL LINES WE DON'T HAVE A HISTORY IN THAT.

AND THE DRUG THREAT REQUIRES US COULD WORK WELL, THE SHERIFF WORKING WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WORKING WITH THE STATE POLICE, WORKING WITH THE FEDS WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB IN THAT FRONT AND ALSO WORKING WITH PUBLIC HEALTH.

WORKING WITH THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY.

WORKING WITH THE FAITH BASED COMMUNITY.

WORKING WITH OUR HOSPITALS.

SO WORKING WITH OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

WORKING WITH MARKETERS TO LEARN HOW TO GET THE BEST MESSAGE THAT PERMEATES.

SO WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF TEARING DOWN THE SILOS.

I THINK WE'RE STARTING TO TREND IN THAT DIRECTION, DISTRIBUTION OF NARCAN, NALOXONE THAT SAVES LIVES IT IS NOT A UN VER SAL SOLVENT AND SOME VIEW IT WITH SKEPTICISM AS AN ENABLER.

NARCAN IS SAVING LIVES BUT IN MY BOOK IT'S TEARING DOWN SILOS THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

AND I WILL TELL YOU THIS THIS IS NOT AN R OR A D STATEMENT WE HAVE TO SECURE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.

I AM PROUD TO BE A REPUBLICAN BUT THIS IS NOT AN R OR D STATEMENT WHEN WE HAD A PORUS BORDER THE POISON THAT KILLED THAT YOUNG MAN THAT IS GOING IN OUR KIDS' NOSES AND ARMS WE DO NOT PRODUCE IT IN KENTUCKY.

I HAVE SAT IN FORUMS WE KNOW THAT THE METH LABS THAT USED TO SEND KIDS TO U.K.'S BURN CENTER OR U OF L'S BURN CENTER, WE DON'T THANKFULLY HAVE THAT ANYMORE.

WE DON'T HAVE METH LABS THAT IS BECAUSE THE CARTELS SHIP THIS POISON IN HERE AT A HIGHER QUALITY AND A LOWER COST.

IT'S FLOODED THAT OUT OF THE MARKET.

UNTIL WE TRULY SECURE OUR BORDER FROM THIS POISON, WE WILL STILL HAVE REMARKABLE DEGREES OF LOSS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SHOWING THAT PREVENTION NEEDS TO BE INVESTED IN.

>> Renee: AND THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL IF YOU WILL, THINK ABOUT HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT HAS BEEN YOUR THREW LINE EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE.

HOW DO YOU GET TO YOUNG PEOPLE BEFORE THEY GET TO COLLEGE AND THINK WELL I'M GOING TO TRY THIS ADDERALL BECAUSE I NEED MORE FOCUS NOT KNOWING IT'S LACED WITH FENTANYL, RIGHT?

>> AND YOUR QUESTION IS A GOOD ONE.

IF THERE'S ONE TAKEAWAY FROM OUR CONVERSATION I WANT TO FLAG THAT WE EXIST IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ONE PILL, AND THAT MILLION CAN RESEMBLE ADDERALL OR SOMETHING IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET UNLESS THAT PILL COMES FROM YOUR PHYSICIAN AND YOU'RE TAKING IT AS PRESCRIBED YOU ARE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH YOUR LIFE.

AND WE TALK ABOUT THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL.

AND THAT IS IT'S ENFORCEMENT, THAT IS MY BACKGROUND.

AS WE'VE DISCUSSED THAT IS PUTTING HANDCUFFS ON THOSE THAT BRING THIS POISON TO OUR COMMONWEALTH.

WE ARE DOING THAT.

WE ARE RUNNING FASTER, WE ARE COLLABORATING AND WE CAN ALWAYS IMPROVE BUT I'M PROUD OF MY PARTNERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL.

ALSO ON TREATMENT THAT IS THOR LEG OF THAT STOOL.

FIVE YEARS AGO, RENEE, IF YOU ARE OR I HAD A FAMILY MEMBER THAT NEEDED A BED GO TO THE END OF THE LINE AND WAIT.

WAIT SIX MONTHS AND WHAT HAPPENS?

WE WERE LOSING PEOPLE.

FINALLY, I APPLAUD THE FACT THAT KENTUCKY HAS MORE TREATMENT BEDS PER CAPITA.

>> Renee: IS IT ENOUGH?

>> WE HAVE MORE TREATMENT BEDS PER CAPITA I WOULD SAY IT'S LESS ABOUT NUMBERS AND MORE ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF THOSE TREATMENT BEDS.

THE DATA SHOWS THAT ANYONE WHO NEEDS TREATMENT HAS ACCESS TO A TREATMENT BED BOTH AS SOMEONE A PROPONENT OF TREATMENT AND AS AG IT'S MY JOB TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO FRAUD IN THAT TREATMENT AND ENSURING IT'S THE MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT IN THAT BED.

IT HAS TO BE NOT ONLY A BED BUT EFFECTIVE AND WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR FRAUD.

THAT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

THE THIRD LEG OF THE STOOL WHEN I TALK ABOUT FROM THE STAGE A MOMENT AGO IT IS WHAT WE'VE STALED AT AND WE -- FAILED AT AND THAT IS AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ONE PILL CAN KILL.

>> Renee: PREVENTION CENTERED ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OPERATION PARENT ARE SENDING THAT SAME MESSAGE THAT ONE PILL CAN KILL.

THE OLDHAM COUNTY NONPROFIT CREATED WHAT IT CALLS THE PARENT HANDBOOK IT HELPS ADULTS UNDERSTAND AND TALK TO THEIR KIDS ABOUT SOME OF THE TOUGHEST SUBJECTS FROM SCREEN TIME TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.

AS OUR JUNE LEFFLER REPORTS, OPERATION PARENT HAS DISTRIBUTED NEARLY HALF A MILLION OF THESE HANDBOOKS ALL ACROSS THE NATION.

>> NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO, JEAN STARTED OPERATION PARENT.

>> SO JUST LIKE ANY PARENT, JEAN AND HER HUSBAND WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH THEIR OWN KIDS.

WE HAVE ALL HAVE ISSUES WITH OUR KIDS.

REALIZE IF WE'RE GOING THROUGH THESE ISSUES THERE ARE OTHER PARENTS GOING THROUGH THESE ISSUE AS WELL.

>> DARRYL LEADS THE NONPROFIT WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING PARENTS TALK ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS.

>> TECHNOLOGY.

WHETHER THAT BE GAMING ADDICTION.

WE ALSO COVER ALCOHOL DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR MISUSE.

>> TO BRIDGE THE GAP OPERATION PARENT OFFERS THE HANDBOOK.

>> A LOT OF TIMES PARENTS WANT TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION AND THEY JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START.

>> OPEN THE HANDBOOK AND IT STARTS WITH THE FACTS.

DID YOU KNOW THAT TEENS WHO START DRINKING EARLY ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME ADDICTED TO ALCOHOL LATER IN LIFE.

OR THAT FENTANYL IS SOMETIMES MADE TO LOOK LIKE OXTY CON CONTINUE OR ADDERALL.

>> PARENTS DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT FENTANYL AND THE DRUGS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

AND THE ONE PILL CAN KILL IS A REAL STATEMENT.

IT IS A TRUE STATEMENT.

>> FOLLOWING THE FACTS ARE ACTIONS TO TAKE.

GET RID OF PRESCRIPTION SON MEDICATIONS YOU TONTSD'S NEED.

DID YOUR TEEN IF YOU WERE OFFERED A DRUG WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

>> THE TOPICS SHOULD NOT BE TABOO.

WHEN YOU TALK TO YOUR KIDS OR RIDING IN THE CAR, THESE SHOULDN'T BE LIKE GOSH WE'RE HAVING THAT TALK.

IT SHOULD BE NORMAL CONVERSATION AND THE EARLIER YOU START THAT THE MORE EASILY THAT IS TO BE HAD.

>> THE HANDBOOK CITES FEDERAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION.

OPERATION PARENT ALSO BRINGS IN NATIONAL EXPERTS.

>> I'VE BEEN A PRACTICING THERAPIST FOR 26 YEARS IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.

I'M ALSO A PREVENTION RESEARCHER.

I CREATED A PREVENTION PROGRAM THAT TEACHES THE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL EFFECTS IN HIGH-RISK BEHAVIOR IN KIDS.

>> CRYSTAL SAYS SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION EFFORTS HAVE COME A LONG WAY.

THE DARE PROGRAM DID NOT PREVENT SUBSTANCE USE.

>> WHAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM DARE AND LOTS OF OTHER REALLY GOOD AND MAYBE NOT SO GREAT PROGRAMS IS THAT PREVENTION WORKS IF IT IS DONE CONSISTENTLY AND OVER THE DEVELOPMENTAL LIFESPAN OF A CHILD AS WELL AS EMPOWERING ALL THE PEOPLE THAT REVOLVE AROUND THE CHILD.

>> COLYEAR EXPLAINS THE SKILLS KIDS NEED TO HAVE TO HANDLE SITUATIONS LIKE SAY NO TO DRUGS.

WITH KIDS IN GRADES 3-5 WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE IMPULSE CONTROL, FRUSTRATION TOLERANCE, EMPATHY BUILDING TEACHING THEM THE NEUROSCIENCE OF HOW DRUGS AND ALCOHOL TECHNOLOGY OVERUSE AFFECT THE BRAIN.

AND THEN ALSO EMPOWER PARENTS WITH GOOD BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION SKILLS.

LIKE HOW DO YOU HELP CREATE KIDS WHO FOLLOW THE RULES AND PROTECT THEIR BRAIN?

>> THIS EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMMING HAS CAUGHT ON OVER THE YEARS.

VIEWERS ACROSS THE GLOBE TUNED INTO OPERATION PARENTS WEBINARS AND THE HANDBOOK REACHED 49 STATES.

SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND OTHER DRUG FREE COALITIONS WANT THE EASY TO USE GUIDE.

>> I MEAN THERE'S 31 MILLION FAMILIES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAVE KIDS WHO ARE 18 YEARS AND YOUNGER.

AND WE HOPE TO BE HITTING HALF A MILLION HANDBOOKS PROVIDED OVER THE COURSE OF OUR LIFETIME THIS YEAR.

WE HOPE TO HIT THAT 500,000 HANDBOOK MARK.

WE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO.

AND WE'RE NOT STOPPING UNTIL WE CAN IMPACT AS MANY PARENTS ACROSS THE NATION AS POSSIBLE.

>> OPERATION PARENT PARTNERS WITH MORE THAN 40 ORGANIZATIONS IN KENTUCKY.

THAT INCLUDES TONIGHT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY THANKS TO FUNDING FROM THE STATE'S OPIOID ABATEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION.

FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M JUNE LEFFLER.

>> Renee: KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL RUSSELL COLEMAN IS SCALING UP A STATE-WIDE PREVENTION EFFORT.

ALSO REALIZING THAT THE JUST SAY NO MESSAGE IN THE 1980s AND 90s DOESN'T RESONATE WITH ALL KIDS TODAY.

WE HEARD IT MENTIONED EARLIER A NEW CAMPAIGN CALLED BETTER WITHOUT IT MEETS YOUNG PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

WHICH IS OFTEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PREVENTION IT'S 13-26.

AND IT IS USING THIS, USING INFLUENCERS, SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS, USING SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

USING DEALS WITH NIL DEALS WITH U.K. WITH U OF L AND YOUR ALMA MATER WITH WESTERN FOR INFLUENCERS TO LOOK AT THAT CAMERA, RENEE, AND SAY U.K., FROM HARLAN, AN AWESOME MESSAGE OR JAVON AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE LOOKING THE THAT CAMERA AND THE MESSAGE IS SAYING YOU WANT TO WEAR THIS JERSEY?

WE WANT TO PLAY ON THIS COURT?

YOU'RE BETTER WITHOUT IT.

BWI.

THE CAMPAIGN IS CALLED BETTER WITHOUT IT.

I ADMIT I VIEW THAT AS POLYANNA ON THE FRONT END IT IS A POSITIVITY DRIVEN MESSAGE.

I'VE HAD TO PRACTICE SAYING IT.

I WANT TO SAY DON'T DO IT.

BUT THE DATA SAYS WE HAVE TO GIVE KIDS AGENCY THEY ARE SMART AND LISTEN TO SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS.

>> Renee: AND THEIR PEERS.

>> AND THEIR PEERS.

WHY NOT LEVERAGE THIS AND THEIR PEERS TO GET A POSITIVITY DRIVEN MESSAGE.

THEY ARE FOCUSED ON HEALTH.

THEY ARE FOCUSED ON BETTERING THEMSELVES.

THERE ARE SOME THAT SAY WELL THERE ARE POPULATIONS YOU CANNOT GET TO.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO SAVE AS MANY LIVES AS WE CAN.

IT'S BEEN DONE IN BRO BARRED COUNTY FLORIDA.

WE ARE SCALING IT UP WE'RE GOING TO USE OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS.

WE CAN GET TO A ZIP CODE, WE CAN LOOK AT A ZIP CODE, 40502.

WE CAN IDENTIFY WHO ARE THE MOST IMPACTFUL SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND IF THEY ARE THE RIGHT MESSENGER, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO USE THE RIGHT MESSENGERS HOW DO WE USE THEM TO GET OUT THERE, YOU ARE BETTER OFF WITHOUT IT.

I'M BETTER BEING HEALTHY FEELING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND HAVING A SENSE OF SELF, TAKING CARE OF MYSELF, EXERCISING.

MY SOUND POLYANNA BUT IT'S PROVEN TO WORK ELSEWHERE AND WE ARE DOING IT WITH NOT WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

WE'RE USING OPIOID SETTLEMENT DOLLARS MONEY FROM THE OPIOID LAWSUITS THAT BROUGHT THE CRISIS HERE ARE PAYING FOR IT.

>> Renee: WHEN IT COMES TO PREVENTION IT'S MORE THAN JUST ABOUT STOPPING DRUG USE BEFORE IT STARTS.

IT ALSO APPLIES TO THOSE IN ACTIVE RECOVERY FROM ADDICTION WHETHER IN COMMUNITY OR BEHIND BARS.

IN APRIL, KET'S "KENTUCKY EDITION" TEAM VISITED THE SCOTT COUNTY DETENTION CENTER THAT IMPLEMENTED WHAT IS CALLED A NET DEVICE PROGRAM.

A NEW TOOL THAT IS SHOWING PROMISING RESULTS IN FIGHTING ADDICTION.

THE F.D.A.

APPROVED THIS DEVICE IN 2024.

THE NET DEVICE IS AN ELECTRONIC METHOD OF EASING WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS LIKE NAUSEA, HEADACHES AND BODY ACHES.

FOR SOME OF THE 22 INMATES THAT USED THE NET DEVICE DRUG CRAVINGS ARE NOW A THING OF THE PAST.

>> BEEN ON HEROIN AND EVERYTHING ELSE FOR 45 YEARS, PRETTY MUCH STRAIGHT THROUGH.

AND SINCE I'VE BEEN ON IT I HAVE NOT THOUGHT ABOUT IT I DON'T HAVE THE DREAMS AT NIGHT.

COMING OFF OF IT, I NEVER WOKE UP SINCE I WAS 15 WITHOUT A CRAVING FOR PLANNING FOR THE DAY FOR GETTING AN EYE ON WHAT I WAS DOING.

BUT I DON'T HAVE THOSE ANYMORE.

>> IT HAS A SMALL CONTROL MODULE THE SIZE OF AN iPHONE FOR A WALKMAN.

IT HAS ELECT TRODS THAT OFF OF THAT AND THEY ATTACH BEHIND THE EARS ON THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WANTS TO UTILIZE IT, TO HELP MINIMIZE THE EFFECTS OF THE WITHDRAWALS THEY CAN SELF ADMINISTER USING THIS NET DEVICE, LOW LEVELS OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION.

IT'S BEEN SHOWN FOR HALF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT USE IT THAT THEY LOSE THE CRAVINGS FOR THE SUBSTANCE THAT THEY WERE ADDICTED TO.

>> THEY PUT IT ON THE BACK OF YOUR EARS ON BOTH SIDES.

AND LIKE IT'S LIKE A SHOCK BUT LIKE A VIBRATION NOT A SHOCK.

BUT YOU STAY ON IT FOR I THINK SEVEN TO 10 DAYS.

BASED ON YOU.

LIKE HOW YOU ARE IN YOUR WITHDRAWAL PROCESS.

>> I WENT THROUGH ZERO WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS WHICH IS RARE.

TWO GRAM A DAY HABIT AND NOTHING I WAS EATING THE NEXT DAY.

NO CRAMPS NO TREMORS.

>> THAT MAKES THAT INDIVIDUAL EASIER TO CARE FOR AND MAINTAIN CUSTODY OF WHILE THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE WITHDRAWALS N THAT SENSE IT MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR THE STAFF AND THE INDIVIDUAL TAKES LESS RESOURCES.

>> I WAS ON THE NET DEVICE FOR EIGHT DAYS THE FIRST FOUR DAYS WERE FOR AMPHETAMINES AND OPIOIDS AND THE SECOND WAS STRIBTLY FOR COCAINE.

AND I'VE BEEN OFF FOR 60 DAYS NOW.

AND 60 DAYS CLEAN IN MY LIFE AND I STILL DON'T FEEL LIKE I DO NOW.

I'VE BEEN 15 YEARS CLEAN.

>> I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE AND I WAS COMING OFF OF METHADONE.

I STILL HAVE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS.

YOU ARE GOING TO.

WASN'T LIKE AS BAD.

LIKE AND I THINK IF I DID NOT HAVE THAT NET DEVICE, I PROBABLY WOULD BE REALLY SICK.

>> I HAVE THE PROGRAM IN MIND BECAUSE AT THE TIME COMING OFF OF METH IT IS A LOT OF PSYCHOSIS WITH IT.

SO IT TOOK CARE OF THE URGES AND EVERYTHING THAT I WAS GOING THROUGH AS FAR AS THE DEPRESSION AND EVERYTHING.

>> AFTER THE PERSON HAS COMPLETED THE NET DEVICE PROGRAM, WE DO A POST TREATMENT ASSESSMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND PART OF THAT POST TREATMENT ASSESSMENT IS, YES, TO ASK THEM WHAT THEIR EXPERIENCE WAS LIKE ON THE NET DEVICE.

BUT ALSO TO OFFER THEM THE OPPORTUNITY OF REHAB.

WE WANT TO FOLLOW-UP WITH THE COUNSELING AT REHAB TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES MAYBE WHY THEY STARTED DRUG USE TO BEGIN WITH.

OFFER THE PEER SUPPORT AND OFFER THE WORK THE JOB RELATED SUPPORT THAT THEY CAN GET AT THE REHAB FACILITY.

IF WE CAN DO THE NET DEVICE AND DO THE REHAB THE ONE-TWO PUNISH AND AND THAT IS THE IDEAL WAY WE CAN ATTACK THIS ISSUE.

WE ALL AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN TRYING TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THESE INDIVIDUALS WHILE WE HAVE THEM AND THAT IS WHAT WE TRY TO DO AT THE SCOTT COUNTY DETENTION CENTER WE WANT TO IMPACT THEM SO WHEN THEY LEAVE HERE THEY HAVE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT AND BE ON A DIFFERENT PATH, A DIFFERENT PATH THAN WHAT THEY WERE ON WHEN THEY GOT ARRESTED AND BROUGHT TO JAIL.

>> Renee: EFFORTS ARE EXPANDING IN WESTERN KENTUCKY TO SERVE MORE PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION THROUGH TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES.

OUR LAURA ROGERS TAKES US TO LIFELINE RECOVERY CENTER IN PADUCAH WHICH BROKE GROUND ON A NEW WOMEN'S CAMPUS.

>> I FEEL LIKE THE STIGMA IS STARTING TO BREAKDOWN.

>> EVERYBODY KNOWS SOMEBODY THAT STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION.

>> MANY OF THOSE STRUGGLING COME HERE LIFELINE RECOVERY CENTER A NONPROFIT FAITH BASED LONG-TERM REHABILITATION PROGRAM.

>> YOU CAN DO A LOT OF THINGS TO RID YOURSELF OF ADDICTION BUT THERE HAS TO BE A SENSE OF FAITH AND HOPE.

>> THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO ABOUT 15 DIFFERENT CLASSES A WEEK.

AND WE KEEP THEM BUSY.

>> THE LIFELINE MEN'S CAMPUS OPENED IN 2004 FOLLOWED BY THE WOMEN'S CAMPUS A COUPLE YEARS LATER.

>> A COUPLE INDIVIDUALS WHO SAW THE NEED AND THEY WANTED TO HELP WITH THE MEN'S CAMPUS AND IT WAS A TWO BEDROOM HOUSE DOWNTOWN.

>> THE MEN'S CAMPUS HAS GROWN TO 46 ACRE PROPERTY IN BALLARD COUNTY.

>> WE FEEL FORTUNATE AND BLESSED THAT THERE IS THIS GROUND SWELL OF PEOPLE WHO SAY WE WANT TO HELP YOU.

>> COMMUNITY SUPPORTS AND DONATIONS THAT RAISED $12 MILLION TO EXPAND THE WOMEN'S CAMPUS AS WELL.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH PAIN GOING ON WITH ADDICTION THAT PEOPLE ARE STEPPING UP THEY ARE WANTING TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP OUT.

>> LIFELINE PURCHASED A 45-ACRE PROPERTY TO UPDATE FACILITIES WHERE CLIENTS SPEND NINE MONTHS TO A YEAR.

>> WHEN YOU ARE THINKING OF INDIVIDUALS IN ADDICTION, 10, 15, 20 YEARS AND THEY TRY TO GO THROUGH A 28-DAY PROGRAM SOMETIMES IT'S JUST ENOUGH TO OPEN UP THOSE WOUNDS BUT NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

>> LIFELINE WORKS TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES WITH COUNSELING AND GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS WITH DLASES AND ANGER MANAGEMENT AND PARENTING AMONG OTHERS.

>> JOBS FOR LIFE CLASS WHERE THEY LEARN HOW TO WRITE THEIR RESUME AND PRACTICE INTERVIEWS.

DO THEY NEED A DRIVER'S LICENSE.

ARE THEY PAYING FINES, THOSE TYPES OF ISSUES AND BARRIERS WE SEE WITH INDIVIDUALS IN RECOVERY.

>> THEY HELP CONNECT CLIENTS TO RESOURCES THEY NEED FOR SUCCESS INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT, WHICH COMES IN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROGRAM.

>> WE'VE GOT 25-30 EMPLOYERS THAT HIRE OUR CLIENTS ON OWE A ROTATING BASIS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WILL BE THERE ON TIME, DRUG FREE AND WE DO VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY.

TEACHING THEM TO GIVE BACK.

>> ASHLEY MILLER IS ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH THE CHALLENGES OF ADDICTION.

HER PARENTS SUFFERED FROM DRUG ABUSE.

>> AROUND THE AGE OF 7 I WAS HIDING THE PILLS UNDER MY PILLOW SO THEY WOULD NOT STEAL FROM ONE ANOTHER.

>> DESCRIBING HER CHILDHOOD AS CHAOTIC AND IN ADD LESS DENSE SHE FELL TO ADDICTION FIVMENT IT FIXED THEIR PROBLEMS IT MAYBE FIX MINE 2.

AT 14 I HAD MY FIRST OVERDOSE.

>> SHE WAS IN AND OUT OF JAIL AND TREATMENT CENTERS UNTIL 2013 WHEN COURT ORDERED TO LIFELINE.

>> WHENEVER I WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS I COULD TELL IT WAS DIFFERENT.

THE MORE THEY FOUND OUT ABOUT ME THE MORE THEY LOVED ME.

THAT CHANGED ME.

>> MILLER FOUND SOBRIETY AND IT FUELS HER PASSION TO HELP OTHERS.

>> I FEEL LIKE I OWE MY LIFE TO THIS PROGRAM AND IT SAVED MY LIFE AND IT SAVED MY MARRIAGE.

>> HER HUSBAND WENT THROUGH THE MEN'S PROGRAM AS WELL.

>> THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IN OUR HISTORY THAT WE WERE BOTH GETTING HELP AT THE SAME TIME.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY GOD AT THE CENTER OF IT.

>> STORIES LIKE THIS THAT SHOWCASE THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFELINE'S CONTINUING WORK.

>> GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO WE ARE LOSING SIX PEOPLE A DAY IN KENTUCKY ALONE.

>> WHEN I JOINED LIFELINE, I ASKED SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IS IT WE COULD BUILD SUSTAINABLE REVENUE TO BE HERE FOR THE LONG-TERM YOU HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO ADD THAT SUSTAINABILITY.

>> RETIRED FROM A 35 YEAR CORPORATE CAREER USING THAT EXPERIENCE TO LEAD LIFELINE'S STRATEGIC PLANNING.

>> WE WENT THROUGH NATIONAL ACCREDITATION AND STATE LICENSING WHICH IS A VERY EXTENSIVE TWO-AND-A-HALF YEAR PROCESS.

YOU HAVE TO CHANGE AND RAISE THE BAR ON EVERYTHING YOU DO.

AND THAT IS A GOOD THING.

>> THROUGH THAT PROCESS LIFELINE ACCEPTS INSURANCE AND MEDICAID FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY.

>> MEDICAID IS USED TO HELP THEM BE ABLE TO GO THROUGH THE TREATMENT PROGRAM AND HELP PAY FOR THE EXPENSES OF THAT PROGRAM.

>> THIS MEANS LONG-TERM TREATMENT WITH HOUSING AND MEALS ONLY COSTS THE CLIENT $3,000 OUT OF POCKET.

MUCH OF THAT COVERED BY FUNDRAISING.

>> THIS IS NOT INSURANCE AS AN ENTITLEMENT FOR LIFE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS A BRIDGE TO GET THEM FROM THEIR ADDICTION TO HEALING AND FROM HEALING THEN OUT IN THE WORKPLACE.

SO WHEN THEY LEAVE HERE THEY ARE EMPLOYED THEY HAVE THEIR PURPOSE IN LIFE AGAIN RENEWED.

AND INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS.

>> SUCCESS LIKE ASHLEY MILLER WHO WORKED AT LIFELINE FOR A DECADE, NOW AT THE HELM OF A PROGRAM THAT CHANGED HER LIFE.

>> I JUST HAVEN'T LOOKED BACK FROM THE TIME I STARTED IN 2015.

I HAVE MENTORS AND GRADUATED COLLEGE.

I'M NOT STOPPING.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M LAURA ROGERS.

>> Renee: MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM.

AND THEIR ROE SOBRIETY SUCCESS RATE IS HIGHER THAN 60%.

LIFELINE NEW WOMEN'S CAMPUS IS EXPECTED TO BE UP AND RUNNING BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

>>> ACCESS TO DRUG TREATMENT CAN TAKE ON DIFFERENT FORMS.

MACKENZIE SPINK TELLS US ABOUT GROUPS RECOVER TOGETHER AN ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM THAT COMBINES MEDICATION, GROUP THERAPY AND PERSONAL LIFE SUPPORT DELIVERED IN-PERSON AND ON-LINE.

>> WHETHER IT'S A LACK OF CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, OR TIME, THERE'S LOTS OF REASONS THAT SOMEONE IN RECOVERY MAY NOT MAKE IT TO AN IN-PERSON COUNSELING APPOINT MANY.

GROUPS IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES MEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENT ALONG WITH GROUP THERAPY TO TREAT OPIOID USE DISORDERS.

AND 71% OF THEIR MEMBERS LIVE IN RURAL AREAS.

MEANING MANY JOIN THEIR THERAPY SESSIONS VIRTUALLY.

>> MEMBERS CAN JUST LITERALLY, ROLLOVER, OPEN THEIR EYES LOG ON AND THERE THERAPEUTIC IN GROUP.

THEY HAVE THAT SUPPORT ON YOUR PHONE BEING ABLE TO CONNECT KNOWING THAT GROUPS CAN SEND YOU ALL THE SUPPLIES THAT YOU NEED IF YOU ARE THAT FAR AWAY FROM AN OFFICE.

IT MAKES IT ONE STEP EASIER.

THE VIRTUAL SESSIONS REALLY NICE BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WORK LIFE BALANCE, GETTING ON THE CALL MAKES IT EASY.

IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE BEING AROUND EVERYONE ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PICK UP YOUR PHONE AND BE COMFORTABLE WHEREVER YOU ARE.

>> ON-LINE THERAPY ALLOWS MEMBERS IN RURAL AREAS TOK ASSESS COUNSELING THEY MAY NOT HAVE THEIR AREA BUT IT DOES HAVE CHALLENGES.

>> TECHNOLOGY DOESN'T ALWAYS WANT TO AGREE WITH EVERYBODY.

WE'VE HAD INTENSE AMERICA IN KENTUCKY LATELY THAT HAS DOWNED SOME TECHNOLOGY WIRE LINES AND WI-FI AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

HAVING WORK AROUNDS AND DOWNTIME PROCEDURES AND BACK UPS TO BE ABLE TO STILL GET THOSE MEMBERS THE SERVICES, THE SUPPORTS AND THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED WHEN THEY CAN'T CONNECT.

OR CAN'T CONNECT FOR THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF TIME.

JUST HAVING A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY THERE.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOUR HE AAT PHYSICALLY, GEOGRAPHICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, WHEAT COME TO YOU AND WE WILL MEET YOU WHERE YOU ARE AT.

>> THE GROUP'S MODEL EMPHASIZES COMMUNITY EVERY SESSION CONSISTS OF STAFF MEMBERS INCLUDING A MEDICAL PROVIDER AND 10 TO 15 OTHER MEMBERS IN RECOVERY.

>> ACTIVE USE IS A SOLITARY TIME.

A LOT OF TIMES IT'S KEPT SECRET FROM PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE IF YOU STILL EVEN WANT TO BE AROUND OTHER PEOPLE WHILE ACTIVELY USING.

AND RECOVERING BY YOURSELF IS REALLY DIFFICULT AND HAVING THAT SUPPORT OF PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING WHEN YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO PUT WORDS TOGETHER.

AND BEING ABLE TO CONNECT WITH YOU ON THAT LEVEL, IS INVALUABLE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT AND KNOW THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE ALONE ANYMORE.

AND YOU CAN DO IT TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.

>> HEATHER HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF GROUPS FOR TWO YEARS AND SHE SAYS SHE HAS ACHIEVED GOALS SHE NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE.

>> I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN MY BACHELOR'S DEGREE.

I BOUGHT MY FIRST HOME.

I'VE DONE THINGS THAT I NEVER THOUGHT AT THAT TIME THAT I WOULD EVER DO.

NOT PROUD OF WHERE I WAS, BUT I AM PROUD OF WHERE I AM NOW AND GROUPS REALLY TRULY HAS PLAYED A VERY BIG ROLE IN THAT.

>> GROUPS IS NOT JUST HELPING TO CLOSE THE ACCESSIBILITY GAP FOR THERAPY IT WORKS WITH MEMBERS TO DELIVER SUPPLIES AND RESOURCES THEY NEED FOR RECOVERY.

>> Renee: AT THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT WE HEARD STORIES ABOUT THE ROAD TO RECOVERY FROM ADDICTION.

EACH AS INDIVIDUAL AS THE PERSON SHARING IT.

AND THE WOMAN YOU ARE ABOUT TO MEET ROBIN PARKER ONCE CYCLED IN AND OUT OF JAIL, ADDICTION COST HER EVERYTHING, HER JOB, HER HOME, AND HER CHILDREN.

BUT THAT'S NOT HOW HER STORY ENDS.

SHE IS NOW WHAT IS CALLED A HOPE AMBASSADOR SHARING HER STORY OF RECOVERY AND RESTORATION.

OUR LAURA ROGERS SPOKE WITH HER AT THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT IN NASHVILLE.

>> ROBIN YOU NOT ONLY WORK FOR OPERATION UNITE BUT YOU ARE A HOPE AMBASSADOR HERE AT THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT.

TELL US MORE WHAT THAT MEANS TO BE A HOPE AMBASSADOR.

>> I WANT TO THANK OPERATION UNITE FOR PUTTING MY NAME OUT THERE AND SAYING THAT THIS IS SOMETHING I SHOULD DO.

I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL I HAVE DONE IT WITH MY STORY IT INSTILLS HOPE TO OTHER PEOPLE NOT JUST PEOPLE IN IN RECOVERY BUT HAVEN'T FOUND RECOVERY YET.

WHEN I WAS IN ADDICTION I DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS A LIFE OUTSIDE OF THAT.

I THOUGHT THAT IS HOW I WOULD GO OUT OF THIS WORLD AND I DIDN'T THINK ANYONE CARED OR LOVED ME.

WHEN YOU ARE ON THIS SIDE OF THE FENCE YOU SEE ALL OF THE WONDERFUL AMAZING PEOPLE THAT COME TOGETHER AND THAT ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR THE CAUSE AND FOR THEIR SOBRIETY.

AND SO PEOPLE IMPORTANT TO ME AND I AM GRATEFUL I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND IN FRONT OF YOU AND EVERYONE AND SAY, HEY YOU CAN BE IN RECOVERY.

THERE IS A LIFE OUT THERE THAT IS WORTH LIVING.

I WOULD HAVE NEVER IMAGINED BEING HERE AT THE SUMMIT IN NASHVILLE.

THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE.

MY HOPE IS THAT MY STORY WILL SET A FIRE IN PEOPLE AND IF SHE CAN DO IT MAN, I CAN DO IT.

I CAN MAKE SOMETHING OF MY LIFE.

I CAN MAKE THOSE ASHES AND MAKE A BEAUTY OUT OF IT.

YES.

>> IS THAT SUCH A KEY PART OF IT FOR THOSE IN THE THROES OF ADDICTION WHEN THEY SEE SOMEONE LIKE YOU THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THAT AND COME OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE HOW CAN THAT PROVIDE THE INSPIRATION TO SEEK HELP?

>> ABSOLUTELY WHEN I WAS IN ADDICTION AND SEE THE PEOPLE I HAD BEEN TO PARTIES WITH AND GOTTEN HIGH WITH AND DONE ALL THESE CRAZY WILD THINGS WITH, AND YOU SEE THEIR STORIES LIKE YOU SEE ON THE WALL HERE, YOU SEE THE STORIES HOW THEY CAME OUT OF IT.

THEY FOUGHT T LIKE THEIR LIVES ARE WORTH LIVING THEY HAVE FOUGHT THE ADDICTION AND THEY HAVE WON.

THEY ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE.

WHEN I WAS INCARCERATED THIS GIRL CAME IN SHE WAS JUST LIKE ME WE DID THE SAME THINGS.

WE GOT HIGH WITH THE SAME THINGS AND SHE WAS THERE IN FRONT OF ME A CHANGED WOMAN AND SHE FOUND SOBRIETY AND THEN IT CLICKED.

IF SHE CAN DO IT SO CAN I.

SO I DID.

FINALLY I FOUND RECOVERY.

AND IT'S BEEN AMAZING AND WONDERFUL AND I'VE BEEN CLEAN AND SOBER FOR SIX YEARS NOW.

LIKE I SAID I WOULD NEVER IMAGINE ME BEING HERE AND FELLOWSHIPPING WITH SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE AND THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR THE CAUSE, FIGHTING FOR THE PERSON FIGHTING ADDICTION TRYING TO BREAKDOWN THE BARRIERS SO PEOPLE CAN HAVE A GOOD, HEALTHY NORMAL LIFE.

>> AND YOU ARE GETTING TO SPEAK WITH PEOPLE AND SHARE WITH THEM WHAT IT WAS LIKE FOR YOU GOING THROUGH ADDICTION AND THE RECOVERY AND TREATMENT METHODS THAT WORKED ISN'T THAT HELPFUL FOR PROVIDERS TO HEAR THIS IS WHAT HELPED ME KEEP ON TRACK AND FIND SOBRIETY?

>> I'M FORKED 12-STEP PROGRAMS THAT DO WORK.

AND THEY'VE COME OUT AND BEEN PHENOMENAL FOR ME, MY STORY IS DIFFERENT.

MY FAITH IN JESUS SET ME FREE.

THROUGH MY SENSE OF PRAYER HE BROUGHT ME HOME TO BE HIS MAMA.

I KNOW THE LORD HAS PUT ME HERE AT OPERATION UNITE TO POUR INTO THE KIDS.

WE FELT LIKE WE CAN COMBAT AGAINST THIS BUT IF YOU CAN GET TO THE KIDS AND PREVENT IT FROM BEING A THOUGHT IN THEIR MINDS THEN YOU CAN REALLY CHANGE THE FUTURE.

>> YOU ARE A WONDERFUL SUCCESS STORY.

WE'RE SO HAPPY FOR YOU.

ROBIN PARKER ON BEHALF OF OPERATION UNITE AND A HOPE AMBASSADOR HERE AT THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT GREAT TALKING WITH YOU.

>> Renee: ROBIN SHARES HER STORY AS PART OF THE GROUP OPERATION UNITE AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO COMBATING DRUG ADDICTION STARTED BY CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS.

IT BEGAN IN 2003 IN RESPONSE TO THE PROLIFERATION OF PAIN-KILLERS.

THE GROUP SET OUT TO GET DRUGS OFF THE STREET WITH AN EMPHASIS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SHUTTING DOWN ILLEGAL PILL MILLS.

BUT THE ANTIDRUG GROUP DOES MORE THAN THAT.

AS OUR LAURA ROGERS FOUND OUT, THROUGH HER CONVERSATION WITH OPERATION UNITE'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

>> TOM IT'S GOOD TO CATCH UP WITH YOU AT THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT.

I'VE SEEN YOU SPEAKING ON STAGE SEVERAL TIMES.

>> IT'S BEEN A GREAT WEEK.

VERY EXCITING WEEK WITH A LOT OF GREAT PRESENTATIONS AND GREAT SESSIONS.

AND OVER3,000 PEOPLE HERE, I BELIEVE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> ALL OVER THE WORLD.

AND IT'S BEEN VERY INTERESTING A LOT OF GREAT EDUCATION.

>> YES SO MUCH TO LEARN AND SO MUCH INFORMATION BEING SHARED ACROSS SECTORS.

AND LET'S TALK ABOUT OPERATION UNITE.

AND THAT ACRONYM UNLAWFUL NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS, TREATMENT AND EDUCATION.

TELL US ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION AND HOW THIS COLLABORATIVE MODEL HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL?

>> WE WERE CREATED BY CONGRESSMAN HAL ROGERS FOR THE FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY.

AND IT'S ABOUT 32 COUNTIES AND HE SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THAT AREA WHEN THE OXTY CON CONTINUE ERA STARTED WHEN PEOPLE WERE ABUSING OXYCODONE AND OTHER DRUGS, OPIOIDS.

EARLY IN THE 2000'S.

AND HE KNEW WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THERE WAS VERY LITTLE EFFORT BEING MADE TO DEAL WITH THE ADDICTIVE NATURE OF THAT DRUG.

HE STARTED THIS ORGANIZATION WITH THREE-PRONG ADD APPROACH.

LAW ENFORCEMENT, TREATMENT, AND EDUCATION.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS VERY HEAVY WHEN WE STARTED OUT IN TERMS OF GETTING DRUGS OFF THE STREET.

IT WAS WIDE OPEN.

IT WAS JUST WIDE OPEN.

PEOPLE WERE SELLING DRUGS OPENLY WITHOUT MUCH CONSEQUENCE BECAUSE PEOPLE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE SITUATION.

>> AND THAT IS PRESCRIPTION PAIN-KILLERS?

>> YES.

RIGHT.

AND THERE WAS A LOT OF CORRUPTION GOING ON AND PEOPLE WERE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY REAL FAST.

SO LAW ENFORCEMENT PLAYED A HEAVY ROLE WHEN WE FIRST STARTED.

AND I PROBABLY HAD 35-40 STREET-LEVEL DETECTIVES THAT WERE WORKING TO GET DRUGS OFF OF THE STREET.

AND STARTED WORKING HARD TO PUT WHAT WE CALL PILL MILLS TO GET THEM CLOSED AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

PEOPLE THAT WERE ILLEGALLY PRESCRIBING DRUGS.

SO WE WERE REALLY HEAVY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SAME TIME, WE WE NEED PEOPLE WHO WERE ADDICTED TO DRUGS.

WE HAD A TREATMENT PROGRAM.

AT THAT TIME WE WERE THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY DOING PAID FOR SOMEONE TO GO TO TREATMENT.

THERE WAS NO MEDICAID, THERE WAS NO PRIVATE INSURANCE, NO OTHER WAY.

SO MOST PEOPLE COULDN'T AFFORD TO DO THAT AND THEY WERE VERY FEW FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO GO TO.

SO WE STARTED THAT THERE WAS NEW FACILITIES A LOT OF THEM POPPED UP WHEN THEY FOUND WAYS TO GET PAID TO DO TREATMENT.

SO WE WERE -- WE HAVE THIS VOUCHER PROGRAM WE WERE PAYING $5400 TO SEND PEOPLE TO LONG-TERM TREATMENT.

WE WERE TRYING TO GET THEM WELL.

AND EVEN THE PEOPLE THAT SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE WE WERE ARRESTING FOR DEALING DRUGS DISTRIBUTING DRUGS WE WERE OFFERING THEM THE CHANCE TO GO TO TREATMENT WORKING WITH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO TREATMENT RATHER THAN TO BE INCARCERATED.

I LOVE THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS A REALLY.

I CALL IT COMMUNITY POLICING BEFORE THERE WAS COMMUNITY POLICING.

SO WE WERE TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE.

WE WEREN'T JUST TRYING TO THROW THEM IN JAIL.

>> PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE -- >> ABSOLUTELY TELLING THEM ABOUT DRUG COURT AND WE WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN STARTING DRUG COURT.

>> AND WE SEE THAT IN MORE KENTUCKY COUNTIES.

>> THEY ARE IN EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE.

THERE WERE JUST A FEW WHEN WE STARTED AND THEN THE EDUCATION PART.

WE WERE GOING AROUND TO COMMUNITIES AND GETTING THEM INVOLVED.

WE WERE CREATING WHAT WE CALL COMMUNITY COALITIONS.

WE WERE GETTING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY WE WANTED THE MEDICAL FIELD WE WANTED EDUCATORS AND CITIZENS BEING IMPACTED BY THE DRUG PROBLEM.

EVERYBODY THAT WAS INVOLVED.

ELECTED OFFICIALS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, IN EACH COMMUNITY WE WERE FORMING COMMUNITY COALITIONS.

BECAUSE THEY KNEW WHAT THEIR PROBLEMS WERE MORE THAN WE DID.

WE STARTED FUNDING THEM TO DO PROJECTS OF THEIR OWN.

AND WE WERE GIVING THEM SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS A MONTH TO JUST DO PREVENTION PROGRAMMING AND TO EDUCATE PEOPLE.

THAT'S HOW WE REALLY GOT STARTED.

AND WE WERE AN ORGANIZATION AT THAT TIME PROBABLY 60-70 PEOPLE.

THEN THINGS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

WE WERE GETTING A LOT OF FEDERAL EARMARKED MONEY AT THAT TIME.

SO WHEN THAT WENT AWAY IN 2010 WE HAD TO CUT WAY BACK ON OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS.

AND BY THEN THE LAWS HAD CHANGED SO THAT THERE WERE A WHOLE LOT LESS NEED FOR STREET-LEVEL INTERVENTION BY US.

LOCAL AGENCIES WERE LEARNING TO DEAL WITH THEIR OWN PROBLEMS THEMSELVES.

WE STILL SUPPORT LOCAL AGENCIES.

AND WE WORK WITH KENTUCKY STATE POLICE.

WE HAVE THREE D.E.A.

OFFICERS THAT WE REIMBURSE THEIR SALARIES FOR AND THEY WORK ON BIG CASES.

SO OUR FOCUS CHANGED FROM THE STREET-LEVEL TO THE MAJOR DEALERS THAT ARE BRINGING DRUGS INTO THE AREA.

>> AND TODAY YOU REALLY FOCUS ON PREVENTION.

IF WE CAN GET TO OUR CHILDREN, OUR YOUTH AND PEOPLE OF ANY AGE, BUT IF WE CAN PREVENT PEOPLE FROM FALLING VICTIM TO ADDICTION, THEN THAT COULD REALLY CHANGE THE COURSE.

>> THAT IS IT.

IN A NUTSHELL RIGHT THERE.

WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THERE WAS SO MUCH EFFORT PUT INTO TREATMENT AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS PROBABLY SPENT ON TREATMENT WHICH WE NEED TO DO, I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF GETTING PEOPLE HELP IF THEY NEED HELP BUT THAT SAME KIND OF EFFORT WASN'T GOING INTO PREVENTION.

NOW, HARM REDUCTION AND THINGS LIKE THAT THERE IS A LOT OF FOCUS ON RECOVERY, HELPING PEOPLE.

WE WANT TO CUT THAT OVERDOSE DEATH RATE.

AND WE ARE CONSCIOUS OF THAT AND THAT IS A NUMBER AND SAY WOW LOOK WHAT WE'RE DOING.

THIS IS WORKING.

BUT THEN, WITHOUT REALLY FOCUSING ON PREVENTION, YOU'RE NOT STOPPING THE CREATION OF NEW ADDICTION.

AND WITH UNITE WHAT IT DOES WHAT ADDICTION DOES EVEN IF YOU DON'T OVERDOSE AND DIE WHAT IT DOES TO FAMILIES WHAT, IT DOES TO COMMUNITIES.

IT DESTROYS COMMUNITIES.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF FRUSTRATION ON MY PART THAT IT TOOK SO LONG TO RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR PREVENTION.

WHEN I TOOK OVER AS PRESIDENT OF OPERATION UNITE IN OCTOBER FIRST, 2023 THAT DAY I CREATED A PREVENTION DEPARTMENT AND IT WAS WITHIN OUR COMPANY.

NOW WE HAVE PEOPLE OUT IN SCHOOLS EVERYDAY.

WE'VE GOT THEM OUT THERE TODAY THAT ARE DOING ANTI-VAPING PROGRAMS, WHICH IS A LOT OF WAYS THAT DEALERS ARE GETTING PEOPLE ADDICTED AGAIN.

THEY GET THEM ADDICTED TO VAPES AND THE NEXT THING AND THE OTHER SUBSTANCES THEY CAN PUT IN VAPES AND THAT'S THE FIRST STEP FOR THEM.

AND THEY WANT TO HAVE A CUSTOMER FOR LIFE SO THEY ARE FOCUSING ON OUR YOUNG PEOPLE OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AND OUR TEENAGERS AND TRYING TO GET THEM TO BE THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR A LIFETIME.

SO WE DO THAT.

AND WE DO TOO GOOD FOR GROWTH A WORLDWIDE CURRICULUM.

OUR PROGRAMS ARE EVIDENCE-BASED.

AND OUR FOLKS WE'RE GETTING THEM TRAINED TO BE MORE PROFESSIONAL EVERYDAY.

AND THEY ARE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT IT, IS I SAW THE NEED TO HIRE PEOPLE IN RECOVERY.

WE GIVE SECOND CHANCE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES WITH KIDS SO THAT THEY DON'T JUST GO IN AND TELL THEIR STORY, BUT THEY GO IN AND THEY ARE TRAINED TO PRESENT THEM THE MATERIALS THAT THEY HAVE TO.

WE WANT THAT EVIDENCE-BASED INFORMATION INTO THESE CLASSROOMS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY'VE LIVED THESE EXPERIENCES.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO THEY CAN DELIVER THIS MESSAGE.

>> THEY ARE LIVING EXAMPLES.

>> WITH REAL PASSION.

>> AND HOPEFULLY STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WILL LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES AND NOT REPEAT THEM.

>> AND WE'RE SEEING CHANGE IN THE STUDENTS.

A LOT OF FEEDBACK THEY'VE TURNED IN THEIR VAPES IN OR WRITDING US LETTERS SAYING YOU ARE HELPING ME CHANGE MY LIFE.

A LOT OF THE KIDS IN SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY AND ACROSS THE STATE OF KENTUCKY, LIVE LIVES OF CHAOS.

THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING BUT THE DRUG PROBLEM IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THAT IS ALL THEY'VE EVER SEEN.

THEY ARE NOT EDUCATED AS TO A BETTER WAY OF LIFE.

YOU KNOW, YOU LEARN SUBJECTS IN SCHOOL AND HOPEFULLY YOU ARE GETTING EDUCATED AND BEING SMARTER ALL THE TIME.

AND AT THE SAME TIME YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT PITFALLS YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FACE LATER ON.

THEY CAN SEE UNCLE JOE OR AUNT MARY, KNOW THAT THEY'VE DESTROYED THEIR LIFE BUT THEY THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN WE GET OLDER I GUESS WE'LL DO THAT TOO.

>> HOPEFULLY THEY SEE OTHER BETTER POSSIBILITIES AND PATHS TO TAKE AND PRODUCTIVE PATHS TO TAKE.

TOM THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH OPERATION UNITE AND THE WORK.

YOU ARE IN 43 KENTUCKY COUNTIES AND EXPANDING?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO BE ACROSS THIS STATE BECAUSE I LOVE THE KIDS IN PADUCAH AND BOWLING GREEN LIKE A DO IN HARLAN COUNTY.

AND I WANT THE KIDS TO KNOW WE ARE THERE FOR THEM AND PROVIDE THEM EVERY RESOURCE TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE.

>> WONDERFUL THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S GREAT CATCHING UP WITH YOU.

>> Renee: FOR 4 MORE INFORMATION CHECK OUT KET.ORG WE HAVE A LIBRARY OF INTERVIEWS, STORIES AND PROGRAMS ABOUT THE DRUG EPIDEMIC.

THAT IS ON-LINE ON DEMAND AT KET.ORG.

AND IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS RESOURCES ON DRUG TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PATHWAYS, GO ON-LINE TO FIND HELP NOW.ORG/KY.

IT CAN HELP CONNECT YOU TO PROVIDERS AND FACILITIES THAT CAN HELP.

WE THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M RENEE SHAW AND UNTIL I SEE YOU AGAIN TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.

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