Kentucky Opioid Funds: Unspent Millions Spark Concern

Analysis reveals that many Kentucky counties and cities have not utilized their opioid settlement funds, with some instances of problematic or ineffective spending. The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission has distributed over $85 million, but local governments have only spent about 10% of the $122.4 million received between December 2022 and June 30, 2025. A recent review of financial data found that half of Kentucky's local governments spent nothing in fiscal year 2025, with many offering vague explanations or stating funds were being saved.

Of the localities that did spend funds, nearly $2 million was allocated to ineffective or problematic responses. Examples include Martin County's expenditure on "Opioid Deputies" and related vehicle costs, and Grayson County's payment to a celebrity basketball player for a high school talk. Effective spending, in contrast, focused on community-led programs offering harm reduction resources and evidence-based approaches to prevent overdose deaths.