For Powell County Judge/Executive Eddie Barnes, the opioid crisis is personal.
As a former sheriff’s deputy and paramedic, Barnes has seen the devastation of substance use disorder firsthand. But his perspective changed even more when his own son, William, struggled with addiction.
“I couldn't understand why somebody of his caliber, him being a volunteer firefighter, him working for our emergency services dispatch center, and him wanting to be a police officer, why would he do something like this?” Barnes said.
Today, that experience fuels Barnes' commitment to helping others affected by addiction, and to making sure Powell County makes the most of its opioid settlement funds.
Barnes and Jessamine County Judge/Executive David West recently joined county leaders from across the country at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Opioid Solutions Summit. The half-day workshop focused on innovative ways counties can use opioid settlement dollars to invest in prevention, treatment, recovery and harm reduction.
For both Kentucky leaders, the summit offered an opportunity to share what is working in their communities and learn from others facing similar challenges.
Powell County’s approach
With a population of about 14,000, Powell County has limited industry and economic opportunities, and Barnes said the community has faced the same challenges with drug use and addiction seen across Kentucky.
When the fiscal first began receiving opioid settlement funds, county officials weren't sure how best to appropriate the money. Although the need is apparent, guidelines for permissible uses can be confusing for officials who aren’t subject matter experts in recovery best practices.
“One of our biggest assets is KACo, with [opioid settlement advisor] Lauren Carr being able to advise us,” Barnes said.
Instead of rushing to spend the funds, Powell County formed an advisory committee and established policies and procedures to guide their decisions.
The county has strengthened its quick response team, which follows up with individuals and families after an overdose, providing Narcan and information about available resources.
Jessamine County’s approach
Jessamine County is already putting its settlement dollars to work in a different way.
The county of about 56,000 has used opioid funds to hire a full-time peer support counselor at its detention center. The counselor is in recovery himself, giving him an immediate connection with inmates who are struggling with substance use disorders.
“He has walked in their shoes, so he has instant credibility with an inmate, and he's offering them hope and help,” said Judge/Executive David West.
The program combines peer support with practical skills intended to help people succeed after leaving jail. Participants can earn OSHA, forklift and CPR certifications, pursue GEDs and connect with the county health department and adult education programs.West said the approach is producing results, with recidivism at the detention center dropping nearly 16 percent over the past year.
But for West, the most important outcome isn't a statistic.
“The main thing [is] giving these inmates hope,” he said.
Sharing and learning with peers
“They may pick up something from us, but we're going to pick up something from them,” West said. “The networking that you do at a conference with KACo, with the National Association of Counties, is invaluable because you get to hear differences and you get to hear what's working all over our nation.”
As counties across Kentucky continue deciding how to invest opioid settlement dollars, Powell and Jessamine offer two examples of the possibilities: strengthening local systems of support, providing people with the tools to rebuild their lives and, above all, giving hope to those who need it most.
- For more information about opioid settlement funds in Kentucky, explore KACo’s resource library.
