Report shows a drop in drug overdose deaths in Kentucky but governor says the fight is far from over

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Drug overdose deaths in Kentucky fell nearly 10% in 2023, marking a second straight annual decline in the fight against an addiction epidemic that's far from over, Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday.

The number of fatal overdoses statewide dropped below 2,000, as officials credited a comprehensive response that includes treatment and prevention as well as illegal drug seizures by law enforcement.

“Even while we celebrate progress, there’s a lot of heartbreak and pain because of this epidemic that continues,” the Democratic governor said at a statehouse ceremony.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell — who has steered huge sums of federal funding to his home state to combat its addiction woes — said the report is a “cause for hope.” The substance abuse crisis hit “communities in every zip code across the nation” with Kentucky among the hardest hit, he said.