Beshear administration remains focused on saving every Kentuckian from addiction 

FRANKFORT, KY - Two weeks after Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky saw a 30.2% decrease in overdose deaths in 2024 compared with the year before, today, the Beshear administration certified four more counties as Recovery Ready Communities.

The Governor said that by certifying Bell, LaRue, Marion and Washington counties as Recovery Ready Communities the nearly 71,000 Kentuckians residing in these communities can access second chance employment, safe sober living housing, health care and treatment. Counties are recognized for having established services for residents who are seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction in three different categories – prevention, treatment and recovery support.

“Kentucky has made great progress in reducing addiction and overdose deaths, and to continue this momentum we must ensure every community has access to critical resources,” Gov. Beshear said. “I am grateful to these four counties for doing the hard work needed to provide employment, treatment, housing and health care to those in their communities who are in addiction recovery or have been released from incarceration. They are making their communities safer and ending generational cycles of crime and addiction.”

“Every county certified is one step closer to certifying the entire commonwealth,” said Pam Darnall, chair of the Recovery Ready Communities Advisory Council. “We continue to encourage every county to apply and join Team Kentucky to turning progress into prosperity.”

A total of 25 counties in the commonwealth are now certified as Recovery Ready Communities for having established services for residents who are seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction. To learn more and to apply for certification as a Recovery Ready Community, click here.

Bell County has been designated as a Recovery Ready Community due to its strong community coalitions such as UNITE Bell County and its robust network of quality treatment providers to more than 23,000 Kentuckians living there.

The Cumberland River Recovery, Hope, Opportunity and Resiliency Center for Women, boasts over 100 inpatient treatment beds for women in addition to 52 affordable family living units allowing women to be reunited with their children upon completion of treatment and transition into recovery.

The county is also focusing on prevention in Bell County Schools through the “Too Good for Drugs” program while increasing reentry support for those nearing release from the Bell County Detention Center. The Bell County Health Department has partnered with University of Kentucky Healthcare, Cumberland River Behavioral Health and Appalachian Regional Hospital to provide an almost fully comprehensive harm reduction outreach program for residents while also connecting patients with addiction treatment prior to discharge.

“We are proud to be recognized as a Recovery Ready Community,” said Pam Sulfridge, vice chairperson of UNITE Bell County Coalition. “This certification reflects the hard work and dedication of our community members, organizations and leaders who are committed to making a difference in the lives of those affected by substance use disorders.”

More than 15,000 Kentuckians in LaRue County now reside in a designated Recovery Ready Community which is partnering with the Kentucky Chamber to host fair chance employment events and ensure access to recovery housing in neighboring Hardin County. The Lincoln Trail District Health Department operates a highly effective and comprehensive harm reduction outreach program that incorporates other health services provided by Stepworks’ Intensive Health Mobile Unit. Additionally, the Hodgenville Police Department operates one of the longest running police social worker programs outside of Northern Kentucky.

“I’m proud of LaRue County and all its partners that have established our community roadmap to recovery,” said LaRue County Judge/Executive Blake Durrett. “We know the success we want for our citizens, and we are ready to get them the help they need for recovery.”

Marion and Washington counties submitted a joint application for certification, which represents a combined population of 32,120 Kentuckians. The two counties demonstrated close intercounty and interagency cooperation bolstered by strong local health coalitions such as the Marion County Heartland and Washington on Wellness coalitions. They have been designated as a Recovery Ready Community as they are home to two of the largest addiction treatment providers: Isaiah House and Addiction Recovery Care’s Crown Recovery Center.

They also operate an innovative addiction treatment and recovery support program at the Marion County Detention Center. Both counties combined resources to reopen the Lebanon/Marion County Career Center to provide residents with local access to education and employment support services. The counties utilized local opioid abatement funding to hire a Community Support Specialist at the career center to provide barrier reduction services to individuals in recovery from addiction or reentering society from incarceration. Since reopening the career center, two large regional factory employers have completed the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Fair Chance Academy and are working with the center to offer second chances to residents. 

“Being certified as a Recovery Ready Community is not just an achievement; it is a commitment to our citizens,” said Marion County Judge/Executive David Daugherty. “This certification signifies that we are actively working to prevent substance misuse, support individuals in recovery and create meaningful employment opportunities. When people are provided with the tools to heal and the opportunity to work, families are strengthened, and our entire community thrives. This certification represents both a significant milestone and the beginning of ongoing progress and hope.”

Treatment Resources
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect you to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP (833-859-4357).

Information about treatment programs all across the commonwealth is available at FindHelpNowKy.org. 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 FindNaloxoneNowKy.org and FindMentalHealthNowKy.org.

Visit the Kentucky State Police website to find one of KSP’s 16 posts where those suffering from addiction can be paired with a local officer who will assist with locating an appropriate treatment program. The Angel Initiative is completely voluntary, and individuals will not be arrested or charged with any violations if they agree to participate in treatment.