HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Officials say Governor Andy Beshear joined state and local leaders and recovery advocates at the state Capitol to recognize Recovery Month in Kentucky. Gov. Beshear also certified four counties as Recovery Ready Communities, bringing the total to 18, and signed three pieces of legislation supporting addiction recovery in the state.
“We have made great strides in getting dangerous drugs off our streets and increasing access to addiction treatment resources in the commonwealth, but we still have more to do,” said Gov. Beshear. “My goal is to make sure every Kentuckian brave enough to take that first step to create a better life has the support they need to overcome addiction. I truly believe we can do that by putting in the work and making sure every one of our neighbors feels loved and knows they are not alone.”
One of four new Recovery Ready Communities is in the Tri-State
Gov. Beshear announced that Daviess County is among four counties that have been certified as a Recovery Ready Community. Since the first county was announced in May 2023, the state has certified a total of 18 counties for establishing services to residents who are seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction in three different categories: prevention, treatment and recovery support.
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House Bill 462
Gov. Beshear ceremonially signed House Bill 462 , which addresses gaps in certification requirements and strengthens the framework for recovery housing, ensuring these facilities provide safe, supportive environments for individuals in recovery.
Senate Bill 71
Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 71 , which expands access to transportation services for people in recovery residences, protects the Alternative Sentencing Worker Program and prohibits any person from receiving monetary compensation for referrals into addiction treatment facilities.
House Bill 505
Gov. Beshear signed House Bill 505 , which expands the Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors and establishes criteria for registration as a “temporary alcohol and drug peer support specialist.”
Fighting addiction in Kentucky
In June, Gov. Beshear announced that Kentucky saw a 9.8% decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2023, the commonwealth’s second consecutive annual decrease. In May, he announced that Kentucky’s Counterdrug Program helped save Kentuckians’ lives by supporting the seizure of 265,170 fentanyl pills and 208.3 pounds of fentanyl during the 2023 federal fiscal year.
According to Gov. Beshear’s office, in 2023, the state supported the distribution of more than 160,000 doses of Narcan. The state’s Treatment Access Program also allows those without health insurance to enter residential treatment.
Officials say Kentucky leads the nation in the number of residential drug and alcohol treatment beds per capita. The administration has also recorded the three lowest recidivism rates in over a decade. This year, Gov. Beshear announced a new website to help Kentuckians seeking second chances find a job, get an education or continue recovery. The site also connects business leaders with resources to help them hire second-chance talent.
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Officials with Gov. Beshear’s office say if anyone is are struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect them to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP (833-859-4357). Information about treatment programs all across the commonwealth is available at this website . Information on how to obtain the life-saving drug naloxone, which is used to reverse an opioid overdose, can be found at that website as well as at this website and this website .
Last year, Gov. Beshear announced a new website to help people find recovery housing. Visit the Kentucky State Police website to find a post where those suffering from addiction can be paired with a local officer who will assist with locating an appropriate treatment program through KSP’s Angel Initiative .
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