LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new report showed firearms, overdoses and physical abuse as some of the leading causes of death for children in Kentucky.
The report's author, the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel, is designed to study child fatalities in the Commonwealth. They presented their findings for 2023 to lawmakers during an interim meeting on Thursday.
According to the study, the committee found overdose deaths among children are the highest since 2019.
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Trends in overdose rates showed opiates like fentanyl were the most common substances found in overdoses among children, with cannabis following closely behind.
Cases of physical abuse reported are also at the highest since 2018.
The panel found in nearly half the cases the accused had a history of criminal activity.
"The panel has continued to advocate for full implementation of family recovery court that was formerly known as family drug court," Child Fatality panel chair Ben Harrison said. "This assists families who are involved with the child welfare system due to substance abuse disorder, and offers phases of treatment, substance use treatment, parenting, education and family therapy, individual therapy and life skills training."
According to the report, seven children died from firearm-related injuries in 2022 in Kentucky, and four of those were suicides. Additionally, unsafe storage practices were noted in 83% of firearm cases reviewed by the panel.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available; you can contact the suicide prevention hotline at 988, there are people available to talk around the clock.
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