Ky. Black overdose deaths declining at faster rate, Governor Beshear says

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – In a recent Facebook post, Governor Beshear addresses overdose deaths that have plagued the African American community.

“There’s still work to be done, but previously, just like coming from the community and the neighborhood I grew up in, substance use disorder was something that was not spoken about a lot, and now that the message is getting out there, the education is getting out there, I think this is a positive thing,” said Gary Biggers with Voices of Hope, a recovery community center.

Health officials tell us the availability of Narcan and educational outreach has turned the tide on overdose deaths.

“I think direct access in our African American communities is going to be crucial. We don’t want to leave out anyone,” said Cassie Prather, the public health director of the Woodford County Health Department. “Seeing these numbers and this data in a way that shows that we are heading in the right direction is certainly a sigh of relief.”

Prather says costs for public health purchasing of Narcan are going down by 20%.

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