Kentucky adds 6 more Recovery Ready Communities, as it recognizes those lost to overdose and also in recovery
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
The 2025 Recovery Rally will be held Sept. 5 at the Kentucky State Capitol in celebration of National Recovery Month, which is observed every September to celebrate the gains made by those in recovery from substance use disorder.
In addition, six new “Recovery Ready Communities” in Kentucky will be recognized at the event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with presentations beginning at 10:30 a.m. The event is sponsored by the Kentucky Overdose Response Effort, or KORE.
“This event will feature inspirational stories of hope and resilience along with an abundance of community resources,” according to a Facebook post.
National Recovery Month follows Overdose Awareness Day, which was recognized on Aug. 31 in a proclamation signed by Gov. Andy Beshear.
“It’s a time to remember those we’ve lost, to honor their families and to stand with those that are seeking help and to lift up those that are in recovery,” he said at an Aug. 28 news conference.
Beshear thanked recovery advocates across the state, saying, “We’ve made a lot of progress, but we have a lot more work to do. One life lost is too many.”
Tara Hyde, CEO of People Advocating Recovery and a survivor of addiction, is one of those advocates.
“On this Overdose Awareness Day, we pause to remember the 1,410 Kentuckians that lost their lives in 2024; each was a loved one, a child, a parent, a friend, and their absence is felt deeply,” Hyde said at the news conference. “Their memory calls us to action, ensuring that their lives are honored, not only in grief, but in progress.”
Beshear also announced that Boyd, Carter, Clay, Greenup, Letcher and Owsley counties have been certified as Recovery Ready Communities for their commitment to providing residents with access to addiction treatment and recovery support and removing barriers to the workforce. This brings the number of Recovery Ready Communities in Kentucky up to 31. Beshear said they would be recognized at the Sept. 5 rally.
Kentucky offers several resources to help people who are struggling with addiction or who are concerned about a family member’s substance use.
The KY Help Call Center (1-833-859-4357) provides support and information on available services. Those searching for treatment providers can find them at FindHelpNowKy.org. Information on how to obtain the life-saving drug naloxone, which is used to reverse an opioid overdose, can be found at that website as well as at FindNaloxoneNow.ky.gov.
The Kentucky State Police also has the Angel Initiative, which allows anyone with a substance-use disorder seeking treatment to visit a KSP post where they will be directed to treatment.