State gives six residential substance-abuse centers federal money for operating costs

First Lady Jane Beshear Tuesday presented $1.5 million in funding for six Recovery Kentucky substance-abuse centers, further securing the program started in Republican Ernie Fletcher’s administration, and attending a ceremonial opening of the center in Paducah, which was completed in December.

The six residential centers each getting $250,000 in federal community development block grants from the state for continued operational costs are in Erlanger, Evarts, Florence, Henderson, Hopkinsville and Richmond. Besides those cities and Paducah, centers are also in Morehead, Owensboro and Campbellsville. Four more are to be built in the next four years.

Recovery Kentucky is an initiative to help Kentuckians recover from substance abuse, which often leads to chronic homelessness. Construction of the facilities, five for men and five for women, was financed in part through the state-controlled Kentucky Housing Corp.

About 4,000 Kentuckians have received treatment in the centers since the first one opened four years ago, but Beshear noted that more than 44,000 Kentuckians over 26 are dependent on drugs and alcohol. “Recovery Kentucky centers are vital for the state to be able to assist individuals suffering from this disease,” she said.