New Kentucky drug interdiction plan

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – “During 2023, these groups combined helped save Kentucky lives by seizing 265,171 fentanyl pills and 208.3 pounds of fentanyl. Sadly, those are both records,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

Officials report that fentanyl is increasingly being mixed with other illicit drugs to boost potency, with just 1 kilogram of fentanyl potentially capable of killing 500,000 people.

Gov. Beshear highlighted the distribution of nearly 97,000 overdose reversal medication kits (Narcan) in 2023. Additionally, close to 18,000 people received substance use treatments, and more than 14,600 accessed recovery services. Beshear noted that Kentucky boasts the highest number of treatment beds in the country.

Brig. General David Mounkes spoke about the National Guard’s role in the program, which involves multiple state, local, and federal agencies. “The entire interagency team’s efforts have significantly increased the Commonwealth’s ability to remove fentanyl and other dangerous substances from our streets,” said Mounkes.

The Governor officially signed the 2025 State Drug Interdiction and Counterdrug Activities Plan during the Team Kentucky update Thursday. “We’re continuing our work to fight back and to save more lives. While there is more work to be done, we are seeing progress. While we’re still losing too many lives, it’s important to celebrate when things start looking better, because that makes us work that much harder,” said Beshear.