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 life and the value of statistical life lost was estimated at $24.5 billion for the Commonwealth. 

Beginning with a Community Wide Needs Assessment in 2019 and continuing through the statewide Community Assessment in 2023, UK Extension has consistently heard from communities across the state that substance use is a primary concern for programming and initiatives. Further, UK Extension is often looked to for support and resources for families impacted by substance use and convenes groups, coalitions, and organizations interested in addressing substance use, prevention, and recovery. 

The UK Family and Consumer Sciences Extension program brought together Extension Faculty with a variety of expertise to craft a two-day event in Lexington, Kentucky titled the Summit on Substance Use, Recovery, and Diverse Populations on August 2-3, 2023. Extension Specialists that received internal funding to support the event and were involved in organizing, planning, and facilitating the event included Dr. Nichole Huff (Family Resource Management), Dr. Amy Kostelic (Aging), Dr. Heather Norman-Burgdolf (Food and Nutrition), Dr. Alex Elswick (Substance Use and Recovery), and FCS Program Leader, Dr. Jennifer Hunter. Faculty engaged with partners from the UK College of Social Work, the UK College of Nursing, the UK HealthCare Polk-Dalton Clinic, the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors, and the Kentucky Department of Public Health Office of Community Health Workers. The primary audience for this event included both Extension staff from all programmatic areas across the state as well as community partners and organizations external to Extension addressing substance use.

The objectives and goals of the summit were to increase awareness, identify best practices, and create a network of support for diverse populations in substance use recovery. Sessions for the first day of the conference focused on trauma-informed care (Gray Manis, UK College of Social Work), perinatal opioid use disorder (Linda Berry & Diana Frankenburger, UK HealthCare Polk Dalton Clinic), gender-responsive health and nutrition interventions (Dr. Annie Lindsay, University of Nevada-Reno), culturally responsive interventions (Dr. Paris Wheeler, University of Cincinnati), and substance use in older adults (Dr. Alexis Kuerbis, CUNY College). Sessions for the second day focused on harm reduction, supporting resources, and overdose response training (Dr. Jody Jaggers, Kentucky Pharmacists Association) where all attendees received naloxone for participating. 

Of the 192 individuals who registered for the event, 172 individuals attended the summit with a 90% attendance rate. Of those who completed the summit post-evaluation (n=72), 35% were not affiliated with Extension, but represented diverse entities working within the substance use recovery space. These entities included: healthcare organizations, treatment and recovery centers, court systems and drug courts, community action agencies, and housing authorities, to name a few.

Participants were asked a series of questions with a 5-point Likert scale that gauged their agreement with meeting summit objectives.

1. 89% (n=64) agreed or strongly agreed they improved their awareness of recovery-related barriers faced by diverse populations.
2. 86% (n=62) agreed or strongly agreed they improved their understanding of the role gender may play in health focused programming during recovery.
3. 79% (n=57) agreed or strongly agreed they improved their understanding of the relationship between trauma and substance use.
4. 64% (n=46) agreed or strongly agreed they felt more comfortable working with diverse populations in recovery.
5. 86% (n=62) agreed or strongly agreed they felt more prepared to respond to an overdose.
6. 65% (n=47) agreed or strongly agreed they met others working in their field with whom they intend to collaborate in the future.
7. 75% (n=54) agreed or strongly agreed they learned something they intend to implement in their professional work.

When participants were asked what the most valuable aspect of the summit was for their professional work, one participant shared, “There were so many things I didn’t realize I didn’t know. There was so much helpful information.” Other responses were overwhelmingly positive and appreciative of the diverse topics presented. Another participant provided a hopeful response by sharing, “Relapse does not mean that one cannot recover.”

In efforts to guide future Extension programming and training within the substance use recovery space, participants were asked what additional topics they would like to learn about to better support their professional work. Participants shared interest in learning more about responding to trauma, various treatment modalities, establishing coalitions focused on substance use, integrating arts into recovery, working with LGBTQ+ populations in recovery, family dynamics, and caring for children impacted by substance use. UK FCS Extension will continue to build out programs, initiatives, and collaborative efforts that address this ongoing challenge for Kentucky communities.