09/08/2026
Our staff is so passionate about connecting in the community these photos represents something much bigger than attending an event. It represents why overdose prevention, substance use disorder treatment, harm reduction, recovery, and second chances are critical public-health priorities for Hometown Health System.
Because these aren't just statistics or another Facebook post.
We need to normalize harm reduction. We need to normalize that this impacts every hometown. We need to normalize partnership and discussions instead of who is going to take care or fix "those people" They are someone's daughter. Son. Mother. Father. Sister. Brother. Wife. Husband. Aunt. Uncle. Friend.
They are families. They are hometowns. They are brothers and sisters in Christ.
And substance use disorder can affect generations.
KENTUCKY IS MAKING PROGRESS — BUT OUR WORK IS FAR FROM OVER.
According to the most recent Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, 1,110 Kentuckians lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2025.
That represents a 22.9% decrease from 2024 and the fourth consecutive year Kentucky has seen overdose deaths decline. It is progress worth recognizing—but 1,110 lives lost means 1,110 families still experienced a phone call, a knock at the door, an empty chair, or a future that changed forever.
In 2025, methamphetamine was identified in 49.5% of Kentucky overdose deaths and fentanyl in 45.4%. Kentucky also distributed more than 182,000 doses of Narcan, demonstrating just how important naloxone access has become in saving lives across our Commonwealth.
And overdose is only one part of the story.
SAMHSA estimates that 17.2% of Kentuckians age 12 and older experienced a substance use disorder in the past year—roughly 1 in every 6 people.
That means nearly every Kentucky community has been touched by this disease.
KNOW THE SIGNS. CARRY NARCAN. YOU COULD SAVE A LIFE.
An opioid overdose may look like someone who cannot be awakened, has very slow or stopped breathing, makes choking, gurgling or unusual snoring sounds, has discolored lips or skin, or has very small “pinpoint” pupils. If you aren't sure whether someone is experiencing an overdose, treat it like an overdose. Naloxone is safe and can reverse an opioid overdose when given in time.
If you suspect an opioid overdose:
Give naloxone/Narcan immediately if available and call 911.
For nasal Narcan, place the device into one nostril and press the plunger firmly. If the person does not respond or begin breathing normally, give another dose with a new device after 2–3 minutes and continue as needed until emergency help arrives.
Keep the person breathing if possible, place them on their side to help prevent choking, and stay with them.
Do not assume they are safe because they wake up. Naloxone can wear off while the opioid is still in the body, so emergency medical evaluation remains important.
Anyone can carry naloxone. You do not have to be a healthcare professional to save someone's life.
Kentucky offers naloxone through pharmacies, local health departments, community organizations and harm-reduction programs. Some locations provide it free of charge, and Kentucky Medicaid covers up to two naloxone kits during a rolling 30-day period.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS STRUGGLING, PLEASE REACH OUT.
You do not have to wait until someone overdoses to ask for help.
If someone is experiencing an overdose or immediate medical emergency, call 911.
For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988. Kentucky's 988 Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year**, and family members can also reach out when they are worried about someone they love.
Kentuckians looking for treatment can also contact the KY HELP Call Center at 833-859-4357 (833-8KY-HELP) for assistance connecting with treatment and recovery resources.
If someone is going to use substances alone, Kentucky's naloxone resources also identify the Never Use Alone hotline: 1-877-696-1996, available 24/7 to help reduce the risk of a fatal overdose.
AND HOMETOWN IS HERE.
Hometown Health System is accepting new patients, and we would be honored to support you or someone you love through their recovery journey.
Our vision goes far beyond writing a prescription.
It is primary care.
Behavioral health.
Psychiatric care.
Medication management.
Substance use disorder treatment.
Pharmacy support.
Care coordination.
Prevention.
Recovery.
And helping people rebuild their health, their families, and their lives.
Because recovery isn't simply about stopping a substance.
It can mean repairing relationships. Rebuilding trust. Finding employment. Reuniting families. Managing physical and mental health. Learning how to live differently. Finding purpose again. And breaking a cycle that may have affected a family for generations.
We believe people deserve healthcare without judgment.
We believe people deserve another opportunity.
We believe recovery is possible.
And we believe that someone's hardest chapter should never be the only chapter the world gets to read.
Thank you, to all our staff your stories and your passion and for representing Hometown and continuing to stand beside individuals and families affected by substance use disorder.
This is why we show up.
This is more than healthcare.
This is more than medication.
This is about people.
This is about families.
This is about saving lives.
Bridging hope and healing, one hometown at a time. ❤️