Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said during his Team Kentucky Update Thursday that partnerships with law enforcement have helped remove illicit drugs from the streets and helped lead to an approximate 10 percent decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2023.
Beshear announced additional support for some of those law enforcement partners.
“Today, we’re furthering that momentum by awarding $1.7 million from the Federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant,” Beshear said. “This money is going to 11 law enforcement agencies and drug task forces, and one nonprofit organization.”
Among the recipients is the Kentucky State Police, which will receive $372,828, and the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force, which will receive $196,307. The KSP funding will go towards expanding efforts in areas with high drug abuse rates, while the narcotics task force funding will go towards identifying, disrupting, and dismantling drug trafficking operations in their nine-county region.
Beshear said these efforts are necessary for moving the community forward.
“We’re building a new Kentucky home, one where our children are better protected from addiction,” Besheat said. “Lives are being saved from overdoses and the state’s recidivism rate has been reduced.”
Visit the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for more information.
