The task force studying Northern Kentucky's increasing heroin problem recommends a combination of increased police presence, legislation and prevention, treatment and recovery. The four-year plan to stabilize and reverse the epidemic, called , is expected to cost $4 million.
The problem:
- Drug overdose deaths have quadrupled in KY since 1999 and now the number is higher than all other states except for West Virginia and New Mexico
- KY ranks third in the U.S. for overdose deaths
- NKY is seeing more emergency room visits from overdoses and more people dying from overdoses
- KY's price tag for all drug abuse is $6 billion annually
Progress:
- Naloxone (a drug to reverse a heroin overdose) is more readily available
- The first Protection Center for Nalxone distribution was established in Falmouth
Still needs to be addressed:
- A heroin route from Mexico to Chicago goes through Northern Kentucky
- People are dying before they can get treatment
- Hepatitis C cases are on the rise
- There's no drug treatment transition for newly released inmates
- Too many young adults are experimenting with alcohol and other drugs
