According to the NIH (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Kentucky has the third highest drug overdose mortality rate in the nation. Additionally, NIH states that since 1999 drug overdose deaths in Kentucky have quadrupled (2013). Drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation is essential to Kentucky. The SAP (Substance Abuse Program) at the Bullitt County Detention Center is one of the resources in Bullitt County working towards this goal. Partnering with the SAP program, Bullitt County Extension has begun offering a biweekly Gardening Skills program in an effort to supplement their current programming. The Gardening Skills program offers participants research based education and techniques that will assist them in finding related employment upon release from the program. It also provides them with a skill that they can use as a family bonding activity, physical fitness, to grow healthy food at home, and to offer them a healthy alternative therapeutic outlet.

A survey of participants revealed that they consistently gained more knowledge from the program than they expected (72%), planned to change their current behavior because of knowledge gained (64%), and had an overall positive experience working with the Gardening Skills Program (100%). Participants in the program also gave very positive testimonials such as these; “Being a new father, I would love to have a garden that my daughter and my love one would help me to care for. A Bonding experience. Also something to keep me busy and stay away from criminal life.” And “I was inspired to plant a garden when I get home and it was very cool learning new interesting things about how nature works. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and looked forward to Lorilee coming each week. Thank you for being a ray of light in my otherwise dim day.”