FLORENCE, Ky. — According to 2024 Drug Overdose Fatality Report, the number of overdose deaths in the commonwealth decreased by 30% last year, making it the third year in a row for the steady decline.

What You Need To Know

  • Overdose deaths in Kentucky dropped by 30.2% last year according to a new state report

  • This is the third year in a row for the steady decline

  • According to the 2024 Drug Overdose Fatality Report, in 2024, there were 1,410 overdose deaths in Kentucky

Substance abuse continues to plague cities across the country, but in Kentucky, local leaders are seeing a change in fatalities. In northern Kentucky, Brighton Recovery Center for Women, Recovery Service Director, Janie Hamilton credited that drop to increased access to services.

“I think more access to treatment,” she said. “Prior to the opioid epidemic, I think there were some scattering of treatment centers, especially long term, treatment recovery centers. And more access to that outpatient services. I think communities have become more collaborative and I think that’s made a difference.”

The Brighton Recovery Center for Women provides a unique recovery program connecting new participants with peer mentors who have walked the same path. And they’re not the only ones participating in outreach.

In Louisville, the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition offers several services and frequently distributes drug testing kits to underserved communities. Executive Director Shreeta Waldon, for the organization celebrated the drop in deaths, she said there’s much work to be done.

According to the 2024 Drug Overdose Fatality Report, in 2024, there were 1,410 overdose deaths in Kentucky. This is a decrease of just over 30% from 2023.

 

Among Black Kentuckians, 170 died from a drug overdose, a decrease from 271 in 2023, marking about a 37% decrease.

Recovery advocates are worried that the progress could stall. President Donald Trump is proposing cuts to the $56 million grant to a group that helps to distribute the overdose reversing drug Narcan.

“Just to think about any dollar amount and the potential loss of funding means that we will have to cut down services. We will have to pull people off of the street that would normally be out there doing outreach,” Waldon said.

While the future of funding remains, uncertain Hamilton said they will not stop serving those reaching out for a helping hand.

“We are going to be here no matter what happens with funding or, you know, some of those lifesaving medications. We’re always going to be here and we’re always going to be a safe place for people to come,” she said.

For now, both organizations agreed that they’ll continue to serve communities in need.

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