A major grant will help many groups fight opioid epidemic

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The University of Kentucky received a major grant to combat the opioid epidemic and other groups in that fight will also benefit.

The grant is 87 million dollars and the goal is to reduce overdose deaths by 40 percent in 16 counties.

Voices of Hope is one of the organizations getting some of UK’s grant money.

It will receive 1.5 million dollars of the grant to expand its services to 16 counties.

“Relapse rates are 40-60% and so we are glad that we are looking at the critical need to support people in early recovery,” said Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Voices of Hope program director.

Anna Ross battled opioid addiction for eight years and went to treatment four times.

She says Voices of Hope helped her stay sober after treatment through support groups and coaching.

After a year and half, she’s started working there so she could help others.

Ross says she’s happy to hear Voices of Hope is getting a portion of the grant.

“Finding other people to kind of connect you to a recovering community, to be able to sustain your sobriety, and actually make it a feasible possibility is definitely very important,” said Anna Ross.

Voices of Hope’s goal is to expand peer based services, recovery coaching, and support groups with this grant.