Kentucky overdose response effort - the kentucky overdose response effort (KORE) supports the implementation of a comprehensive response to kentucky's opioid and stimulant crisis by expanding access…

Kentucky overdose response effort - the kentucky overdose response effort (KORE) supports the implementation of a comprehensive response to kentucky's opioid and stimulant crisis by expanding access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. Central to KORE's approach is a behavioral health system infrastructure with the capacity to deliver high-quality, evidence-based interventions in a data-driven, equitable, and trauma-informed manner. Addressing the evolving and expanding epidemic is a top priority across all levels of government and community partners in kentucky. Opioid and stimulant overdose remains one of the most critical public health and safety issues facing the commonwealth of kentucky. Although overdose deaths decreased by 9.8% from 2022 to 2023-a reduction that was three times the national average-1,984 kentuckians died from a drug overdose, and most of these fatalities involved fentanyl (79%) and methamphetamine (55%). Informed by KORE's strategic action plan, populations of focus include individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) or stimulant use disorder (STIMUD) who are 1) overdose survivors; 2) criminal-legal system-involved; 3) pregnant and postpartum; 4) black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC); and 5) transition-age youth. The goals of kentucky's state opioid response grant are to 1) prevent the development of OUD and STIMUD by implementing evidence-based interventions that address behaviors that may lead to a use disorder or overdose; 2) reduce overdose fatalities and other negative impacts of opioid and stimulant use through expansion of harm reduction strategies and principles; 3) reduce OUD/STIMUD, overdose, and related health consequences by increasing equitable availability and accessibility of evidence-based treatments that include the use of FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD); and 4) facilitate and sustain long-term recovery from OUD/STIMUD by increasing access to support services that build recovery capital. Kentucky proposes to serve 104,000 individuals in year 1, 154,000 in year 2, and 154,000 in year 3. Grant activities will be prioritized in catchment areas with high rates of opioid or stimulant overdose, which include appalachian eastern KY, northern KY, central KY, and greater jefferson county. Through the state opioid response grant, kentucky will be better equipped to support the behavioral health needs of the commonwealth and implement evidence-based interventions to end the opioid and stimulant epidemic.