In 2021, overdose deaths surged to more than 100,000 drug poisonings in a single calendar year, marking the most devastating year on record.  In Kentucky, the overdose mortality rate rose 14.5% in 2021.  However, overdose is just one metric, a single statistic among the estimated 10,000 collateral consequences of addiction and subsequent incarceration for Kentuckians.  Kentucky is among the states with the highest rate of incarcerated parents with addictions and children living in kinship care due to a family member's addiction. To mitigate these impacts, research suggests that basic addiction education is needed within the criminal legal system.

Funded by a RESTORE federal grant, Kentucky's Administrative Office of the Courts contacted me about providing addiction education for court personnel.  During the annual Judges' College, I was afforded the opportunity to present addiction education to all Circuit and District Court judges in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Later, I was invited to provide a similar Addiction 101 workshop for the Kentucky Prosecutor's Annual Conference.  Participants in both sessions reported overwhelmingly that the workshop had improved their understanding of addiction.  One participant noted that "Addiction 101 with Dr. Elswick was one of the most powerful presentations I have heard in a long time.  My approaches to drug addicted defendants changed drastically five years ago, but this is likely to push me even further in making sure we try to help with services other than treatment.  Thank you for your continued excellence in keeping us all trained."