LEXINGTON — Lexington’s Opioid Abatement Commission has been meeting since September 2023. In June they will present their recommendations to Mayor Linda Gorton. Several organizations and businesses have presented. Some have been more focused on opioid use disorder (OUD) than others.?

It’s imperative that the Opioid Abatement Commission keeps the purpose of the settlement funds in the forefront when considering possibilities for projects to recommend to the mayor. In fact, each meeting should open with a reading of its purpose as defined in the presentation on Opioid Information and Strategies.?

“The money is meant to be used as remediation for the way corporations aggressively promoted opioid painkillers fueling an overdose crisis that has now largely transitioned to illicit drugs, like fentanyl.”?

Otherwise, monies could leak into other projects not related to OUD.

The commission has taken as its priorities.

1. Treatment at the jail.??
2. Expanding harm reduction?
3. Increasing the use of assisted medical treatment??
4. Homelessness?
5. Transportation?

Regarding issues at the jail, it’s important they make it clear that any funds coming from the abatement money is focused on those with an OUD. Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 15 states:

“Funding can be provided that supports the education of law enforcement or other first responders regarding appropriate practices and precautions when dealing with opioids or individuals with opioid use disorder or co-occurring substance use or mental health issues.” Therefore, if a no-camping ban is enacted, law enforcement will have to be trained to realize that often homeless citizens have nowhere to go and should be treated with respect and not as criminals.

Housing is health care

A low barrier shelter needs to be created for this purpose. During the Jan. 12 OAC meeting Jeff Herron from the Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention said, “operating a successful, low barrier shelter requires medical support on site that has a specialty in addiction, mental health services, and security to be able to handle issues that arise.” This would be costly and therefore it is necessary for the commission to recommend providing the funds to create such a shelter.

In his presentation Herron pointed out that “housing is health care and housing is recovery.” Just as there are numerous alcoholics who live in their own homes and deal with their disease and recovery, those suffering from OUD also need housing in order to deal with their disease.

Herron reminded the commission that “settlement funds present a unique opportunity to design a system better meeting community needs.” The Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention has done extensive research and is the obvious basis for the OAC to reach its goal for remediation.

Addiction takes many forms and is a major crisis. The Opioid Abatement Commission, however, has been tasked to serve only individuals with opioid use disorder or co-occurring substance use or mental health issues. It is my hope that there will be significant accountability that money given to any agency goes to those with OUD.?

Lexington’s Opioid Abatement Commission will host a town hall at 6:30-7:30 on Thursday, Feb. 22, at the Lexington Senior Center, 195 Life Lane and at 6-7 p.m. on Feb. 29? at Consolidated Baptist Church, 1925 Russell Cave Road.?

The next Opioid Abatement Commission meeting is at 10 a.m. Friday, March 8, in the Lexington council chambers. You can sign up to speak during the public comment time. If you have a loved one who is suffering from OUD and want to see that reparations are made, you have? opportunities to share your experiences. Or you can email the commissioners at [email protected]?

It’s important, perhaps vital, that we help keep the Lexington Opioid Abatement Commission focused on opioid abatement.?