Lexington city officials announced this week the local government will benefit from a $2 million federal grant to help reduce opioid overdoses. Later that same day, the urban county council got details about the Opioid Misuse Resource and Needs Assessment.
Substance Abuse and Violence Intervention Administrator Amy Baker told council one recommendation in the report pertains to patient visits with a doctor. “There’s specific recommendations about getting doctors to use substance use screenings as a part of their visits with their patients. Those are really big goals to reach, but I think that we can do it,” said Baker.
University of Kentucky Postdoctoral Fellow Erica Pike says the research found barriers to access in seeking opioid addiction treatment.
Pike says that included the cost of substance use treatment, insurance issues, and transportation matters.?
Council Member James Brown said more resources may need to go into addiction recovery programs. “I think one of the gaps that has been identified is the recovery resources that we need in our community. And, I guess, we just need to find or identify how big that gap is and what we need to do as a city council to help fill that gap,” explained Brown.
Lexington Social Services Commissioner Chris Ford says churches and houses of faith are being called upon to help provide education about opioid addiction services.
