Attorney General Russell Coleman has announced that more than $19.8 million has been awarded to 75 Kentucky organizations, including Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment & Education) to combat the opioid and drug epidemic throughout the Commonwealth.
The Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission recently approved the grant applications in two categories: treatment/recovery and prevention. Since its creation in 2021 by the General Assembly, the Commission has invested more than $85 million into prevention, treatment and recovery efforts in Kentucky.
Operation UNITE received $859,000, which will be used in the creation and implementation of opioid use prevention strategies, while also offering opportunities for leadership development through internships and scholarships.
Operation UNITE serves 43 counties across southern and eastern Kentucky, including: Whitley, Knox, Laurel and Bell counties.
“It’s an incredible honor to be part of building programs that will help Kentuckians toward long-term recovery. Our Commonwealth is leading the nation in the fight against addiction, and I look forward to the lifesaving work of the organizations we’re investing in,” Coleman said.
“Throughout this process, we’ve seen the inspirational work of dedicated Kentuckians in every corner of our Commonwealth. They all share one goal: to save lives,” said Opioid Abatement Commission Director Chris Evans. “I’m grateful to the Commission members and staff for the countless hours spent reviewing applications so we could invest in the programs that will change the trajectory of our Commonwealth.”
According to state law, the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission is responsible for distributing the Commonwealth’s share of the more than $900 million from settlements with the corporations behind the deadly opioid crisis. The other half of the recovered funds are distributed among the Commonwealth’s cities and counties according to a pre-determined formula.
