Author: Amy Kostelic
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
In 2021, approximately 589,000 Kentuckians experienced a substance use disorder, a sharp increase from 279,000 reported in 2019 (data for 2020 are unavailable). More than 2,000 Kentuckians died from drug overdoses in 2021, around 80 percent of which involved opioids. As this public health crisis worsens, it levies tremendous economic consequences for the state, as well. The combined economic costs of health care, substance use treatment, criminal justice, lost productivity, reduced quality of li
Author: Bethany Wilson
In Pulaski County's 2024 Community Needs Assessment, ‘support for substance use addiction prevention/recovery’ was ranked as the third highest important need to the 497 respondents. In a survey (2016-2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health) of individuals over the age of 12, 8 to 9% of those respondents had used illicit drugs in the past month in the Pulaski County area. In addition, Kentucky’s 2021 Overdose Fatality Report indicated Pulaski County’s d
Author: Alexander Elswick
In 2019 and again in 2023, the UK CES Statewide Community Needs Assessment identified substance use as the leading programmatic priority in most Kentucky counties. In response, an eclectic team of Extension professionals (Drs. Elswick, Hunter, Huff, Kostelic, and Norman-Burgdolf) hosted a Summit on Substance Use, Recovery, and Diverse Populations. The two-day event hosted Extension professionals from across the state and also offered continuing education credits which attracted commu
Since the synthetic opioid fentanyl was first identified in the drug supply in 2014, fatal opioid overdoses have more than doubled in the US and in Kentucky (Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, 2023). Drug-related morbidity and mortality have continued to increase as the drug supply has been further contaminated by sedatives such as xylazine. This third wave of the Opioid Epidemic has brought with it the need to consider new alternatives to prevent drug-related harm. In response,
Author: Paula Plonski
According to the 2022 Overdose Fatality Report from the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, for the first time in four years Kentucky has seen a decrease in overdose deaths. Although that news is very promising, 2022 CDC data still ranks Kentucky as seventh highest in the nation for overdose fatalities. Substance use remains one of the most pressing public health issues facing Kentucky. The Healthy Choices for Your Recovering Body (HCYRB) curriculum was developed by a team of UK E
Author: Heather Norman-Burgdolf
In 2021, approximately 589,000 Kentuckians experienced a substance use disorder, a sharp increase from 279,000 reported in 2019 (data for 2020 unavailable). More than 2,000 Kentuckians died from drug overdoses in 2021, around 80% of which involved opioids. As the public health crisis worsens, it levies tremendous economic consequences for the state, as well. The combined economic costs of health care, treatment, criminal justice, lost productivity, reduced quality of life, and the value of stati
Author: Sherry Ragsdale
Compared to the national average, Kentucky is one of the most challenged states dealing with rom the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicate an average of 10.69% of Kentuckians aged 12 or older have used illicit drugs over the past month. substance misuse, substance use disorder, and overdose. Percentage estimates for 2019-2020 Communities throughout the state have established substance use recovery programs to support those seeking to overcome
Author: Deborah Messenger
According to the Commonwealth of Kentucky Court of Justice, Drug Court was Kentucky's first Specialty Court program and has a long track record of significantly reducing drug use and criminal behavior. Instead of spending time in jail, Drug Court participants choose to complete a substance use disorder program supervised by a judge. Drug Court graduates are more likely to return to productive lives and stay gainfully employed, pay child support and meet other obligations. Individuals eligibl
Author: Denise Wooley
According to the most recent KIP (Kentucky Incentives for Prevention) data 2,010 students in the Four Rivers area think drug use is a problem at their school. The Graves County Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the GCMS Youth Service Center implemented Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours, a scenario based role-play activity designed to help students learn more about the physical, legal, financial, and emotional consequences of substance abuse, for 174 eight g
Author: Sonya Carter
According to the Center for Disease Control, 14.4% of Kentucky children had their first drink of alcohol before age 13 and 6.1% of Kentucky children tried marijuana for the first time before age 13. Additionally, 11.9 % of high school students currently use marijuana. As substance abuse continues to devastate our communities, the Family Consumer Science agent provided Life Skills Training to 6th graders in the county. The Botvin Life Skills training is an evidence based prevention program for sc
Author: Rachel Mattingly
Drugs and alcohol are becoming a common language to the youth. If they want access to illegal drugs and alcohol, teenagers can get their hands on it. In Kentucky, teenagers are more likely to smoke than peers in the US of the same age. They are also more likely to take narcotics compared to other teens in the US of the same age. Truth and Consequences: The choice is yours is a program designed to show students the consequences of using drugs and alcohol by using role
Author: Shannon Smith
With Covid stopping some of our previous programs, this year we were able to bring back Truth and Consequences for Bracken County’s 8th grade class. There still is a strong need for substance abuse prevention. Truth and Consequences is an enrichment activity designed to educate students about the impact of substance abuse, including the physical, legal, financial, and emotional consequences. The event was held at the Judicial Center in Brooksville. We invited the 8
Author: Nan Montgomery
There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Ohio County. The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of drug abuse continue to impact a large number of families in the community negatively. To address the variety of substance abuse issues impacting our community, the Ohio County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with other local agencies to organize Truth or
Author: Brooke Hogancamp
Access to food can be an area of concern in Carlisle County, especially for those with limited resources. While assistance programs are available, even those programs are limited due to the small size and population of the county. Small community pantry boxes have begun popping up in small communities to combat the deficit in the battle against hunger. During monthly educational programs FCS Extension, Carlisle County Drug Court participants cover a variety of topics geared towards contribu
Author: Amy Stooksbury
Some people do not have the information they need to choose healthy foods. Other people do not have access to healthy foods or cannot afford to buy enough food. Public health interventions that focus on helping everyone get healthy foods are key to reducing food insecurity and hunger and improving health. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/nutrition-and-healthy-eatingThe University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Nutrition Education Program developed
