Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman delivered a keynote address at the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit on Tuesday where he highlighted Kentucky's new youth-focused drug prevention effort.
The Rx and Illicit Drug Summit, now in its 14th year, began under the leadership of Operation UNITE and Kentucky’s 5th District Congressman Hal Rogers, R-Somerset. The event draws thousands of attendees from all 50 states, including law enforcement, treatment professionals and policymakers to share strategies and best practices.
Kentucky's 1st District Congressmen James Comer, R-Tompkinsville, and the 2nd District’s Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, joined Rogers for a panel discussion, moderated by Rogers’ Chief of Staff Karen Kelly. Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Lambert, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit Jackie Steele and Lieutenant Colonel Jonathon Wesely of the Kentucky National Guard also presented at the conference.
Coleman spoke about Kentucky’s comprehensive response to the drug crisis, highlighting the new prevention effort focused on reaching Kentucky’s kids called “Better Without It.” Funded by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, the two-year, $3.6 million program features college athletes and other influencers to show the young people of Kentucky they can live healthy and fulfilling lives without the influence of drugs.
Earlier this year, Coleman and Director of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Commission Chris Evans launched the initiative at an event with coaches from the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University. Through NIL agreements and other partnerships, student athletes, influencers and other stakeholders across Kentucky will promote a positive message about a drug-free lifestyle.
“Congressman Rogers has built a powerhouse event bringing together national leaders in prevention, treatment and enforcement. It was an honor to be able to participate and share Kentucky’s new ‘Better Without It’ initiative,” Coleman said. “This message is going out to where young people are on social media, podcasts, and around college campuses. We’re able to speak directly to kids ages 13-26 in a way that the data says will actually break through the noise and have a lifesaving impact.”
He notes that across the country, more than one million lives have been lost since the start of the drug epidemic. Thanks to opportunities like the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit, Kentucky and the nation are better prepared to confront this epidemic head-on and deliver meaningful change for those affected.
Attorney General Russell Coleman delivers a keynote address at the Rx Illicit Drug Summit in Nashville.
