LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fentanyl has become one of the leading opioid addictions, making addiction difficult to recover from.
"Fentanyl is in everything there putting it in marijuana, vapes, in pills and as a parent it's absolutely terrifying," said Patrick Dunn, owner of Louisville Recovery Center.
Kentucky has faced a 5% decrease in total overdose deaths in 2022 compared to 2021.
The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet reports an 8% increase in opioid overdose deaths among Black Kentuckians.
"That's a big number – 8% in a short period of time, we attribute that to the rise and the expansion of fentanyl," Dunn said.
He believes the lack of access to healthcare is to blame.
The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission has been working closely with the community to fund grants.
"It's a lot harder to find cultural appropriate services that is definitely something we feel that we can help remedy with the help of some of the opioid abatement funding," Dunn added.
In 2022, state data showed Black Kentuckians dying at a rate of 25.9 per 100,000 from overdose compared to 15.2 in 2021.
Dunn said to prevent less deaths it starts with educating younger people.
"Talking about it – talking about drug use [and] getting access to treatment at middle school and adolescent and high school ages – early intervention."
Dunn added there is light at the end of the tunnel.
"Even if you tried before and you slipped up and your back again, just keep fighting," he said.
Dunn encourages people to reach out for support and treatment.
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