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Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center

Drug Overdose Prevention

In 2020, Kentucky had the third highest age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate in the United States, at 49.3 deaths per 100,000 people. Only West Virginia and the District of Columbia had higher fatality rates for that year (82 and 57.9 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively). The total age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate for the U.S. was 28.3 in 2020. Opioids continue to be involved in a large proportion of overdoses: Approximately 81% of Kentucky resident overdose deaths in 2020 involved opioids. Additionally, the proportion of Kentucky resident overdose deaths involving fentanyl has increased from 29% in 2016 to 69% in 2020. Poisoning remains the leading cause of injury-related mortality for Kentucky residents aged 24-64 from 2016-2020. For data requests, click here. To view the drug overdose county profiles, click here.

This initiative leverages prescription drug monitoring data through linkage with electronic health records and public heath surveillance data to develop prescriber- and patient-targeted interventions, thereby addressing both supply and demand in the context of opioid overuse and misuse.

In 2020, Kentucky had the third highest age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate in the United States, at 49.3 deaths per 100,000 people. Only West Virginia and the District of Columbia had higher fatality rates for that year (82 and 57.9 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively). The total age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate for the U.S. was 28.3 in 2020. Opioids continue to be involved in a large proportion of overdoses: Approximately 81% of Kentucky resident overdose deaths in 2020 involved opioids. Additionally, the proportion of Kentucky resident overdose deaths involving fentanyl has increased from 29% in 2016 to 69% in 2020. Poisoning remains the leading cause of injury-related mortality for Kentucky residents aged 24-64 from 2016-2020. For data requests, click here. To view the drug overdose county profiles, click here.

The project aims to: 1) analyze gabapentin prescribing in Kentucky since July 1, 2017, when gabapentin became a Schedule V controlled substance; 2) evaluate the effect of Kentucky’s 2017 SB32, which amended KRS 218A.202 to require the Administrative Office of the Courts to forward drug conviction data to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services for inclusion in KASPER (Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting); and 3) develop continuing education for use of drug…

In 2020, Kentucky had the third highest age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate in the United States, at 49.3 deaths per 100,000 people. Only West Virginia and the District of Columbia had higher fatality rates for that year (82 and 57.9 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively). The total age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate for the U.S. was 28.3 in 2020. Opioids continue to be involved in a large proportion of overdoses: Approximately 81% of Kentucky resident overdose deaths in 2020 involved opioids. Additionally, the proportion of Kentucky resident overdose deaths involving fentanyl has increased from 29% in 2016 to 69% in 2020. Poisoning remains the leading cause of injury-related mortality for Kentucky residents aged 24-64 from 2016-2020. For data requests, click here. To view the drug overdose county profiles, click here.

Recovery housing, commonly referred to as sober living homes, recovery homes, or recovery residencies, are safe, healthy, family-like substance-free living environments that support individuals in recovery from substance use disorders, commonly referred to as addiction. At present, little is known about recovery housing in the state of Kentucky.

In 2020, Kentucky had the third highest age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate in the United States, at 49.3 deaths per 100,000 people. Only West Virginia and the District of Columbia had higher fatality rates for that year (82 and 57.9 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively). The total age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate for the U.S. was 28.3 in 2020. Opioids continue to be involved in a large proportion of overdoses: Approximately 81% of Kentucky resident overdose deaths in 2020 involved opioids. Additionally, the proportion of Kentucky resident overdose deaths involving fentanyl has increased from 29% in 2016 to 69% in 2020. Poisoning remains the leading cause of injury-related mortality for Kentucky residents aged 24-64 from 2016-2020. For data requests, click here. To view the drug overdose county profiles, click here.

P1: Surveys of Clinical and Pharmacy Practice Involving Abuse-Deterrent Formulations

Lead: Patricia Freeman, RPh, PhD, FAPhA, FNAP, University of Kentucky (project years 1, 2, and 3)

In 2020, Kentucky had the third highest age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate in the United States, at 49.3 deaths per 100,000 people. Only West Virginia and the District of Columbia had higher fatality rates for that year (82 and 57.9 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively). The total age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate for the U.S. was 28.3 in 2020. Opioids continue to be involved in a large proportion of overdoses: Approximately 81% of Kentucky resident overdose deaths in 2020 involved opioids. Additionally, the proportion of Kentucky resident overdose deaths involving fentanyl has increased from 29% in 2016 to 69% in 2020. Poisoning remains the leading cause of injury-related mortality for Kentucky residents aged 24-64 from 2016-2020. For data requests, click here. To view the drug overdose county profiles, click here.

The Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, as a bona fide agent for the Kentucky Department for Public Health, is collaborating with state, university, and community partners to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) surveillance strategies, which includes timely analysis of drug overdose emergency department encounters, fatal drug overdoses using multiple data sources, and an innovative public health surveillance strategy using…

In 2020, Kentucky had the third highest age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate in the United States, at 49.3 deaths per 100,000 people. Only West Virginia and the District of Columbia had higher fatality rates for that year (82 and 57.9 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively). The total age-adjusted drug overdose fatality rate for the U.S. was 28.3 in 2020. Opioids continue to be involved in a large proportion of overdoses: Approximately 81% of Kentucky resident overdose deaths in 2020 involved opioids. Additionally, the proportion of Kentucky resident overdose deaths involving fentanyl has increased from 29% in 2016 to 69% in 2020. Poisoning remains the leading cause of injury-related mortality for Kentucky residents aged 24-64 from 2016-2020. For data requests, click here. To view the drug overdose county profiles, click here.

The Rural Center of Excellence supports evidence-based, evidence-informed, and promising practice-based programs and interventions to prevent and treat substance use disorders in rural communities in the context of recovery housing.

Drug Overdose PreventionRecent Reports

KIPRC’s quarterly newsletter highlighting efforts to reduce the burden of substance use and drug overdoses in Kentucky.

This report is based on data from drug overdose-related deaths, emergency department visits, and inpatient hospitalizations among Kentucky residents 18 years and younger from January 1, 2017– December 31, 2022.

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Kentucky Injury Prevention & Research Center
2365 Harrodsburg Road
Southcreek Building B, Suite B475
Lexington, Kentucky 40504
(859) 257-4954

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