In Covington, Lord’s Gym a refuge amid heroin epidemic

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — It’s easy to miss off an alley on Madison Avenue in Covington, Kentucky.

A metal door left ajar gives way to a worn concrete room adorned with a banner of Jesus straining under the cross, appearing to do a pushup.

The boxing ring below lets visitors know it’s not a church.

Since opening in Covington in 2013 in the former Shamrock’s Boxing Gym, the Lord’s Gym has become a refuge for some in Covington and has found itself on the front lines of the heroin epidemic in northern Kentucky.

Lord’s Gym chaplain Kevin Johnson says about half of the 300 people who have signed up for memberships at the gym are recovering heroin addicts.

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