Gov. Andy Beshear announced that drug overdose deaths in Kentucky decreased by almost 10% in 2023 at Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update.
According to the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, 1,984 Kentuckians died because of drug overdoses last year. Fentanyl and methamphetamine accounted for a majority of the deaths.
Beshears says 2023 is the second year in row that Kentucky saw a large decrease in drug overdose deaths. In 2022, reported drug overdose deaths decreased by around 5%. Across the U.S. Beshear says there was an overall fatal overdose decrease of 3%.
While spotlighting the state’s progress, Beshear reflected on those who lost their lives to drugs and says there is more progress to be made to further decrease the number of fatal overdoses.
Beshear recognized some of the state programs that are working to provide drug education, rehabilitation and addiction prevention. In 2023, Beshear says the state’s Counter Drug Program seized over 200 pounds of fentanyl, 822 pounds of methamphetamine and made 164 arrests.
Beshear also shared that in 2023 Kentucky has had one of its lowest drug relapse rates within the last decade. Beshear thanks programs like Second Chance which connects recovered drug addicts to work and education resources.
To connect Kentuckians to the program, Beshear announced the launch of secondchance.ky.gov where all of the program’s resources will be available.
The full Team Kentucky Update meeting is available on YouTube.