Russell County has spent more than $80,000 in opioid abatement funds on prevention and treatment efforts since last August, according to County Judge-Executive Randy Marcum.
Last week, WJRS NEWS reported on opioid abatement spending by Russell County and surrounding counties using data from the Kentucky Attorney General’s online dashboard, developed in partnership with the University of Kentucky’s Rapid Actionable Data for Response program.
The dashboard reflected reports submitted by cities and counties last August, which is the most recent reporting period currently required by the state. According to that report, Russell County received approximately $683,300 in opioid abatement funding during Fiscal Year 2025. At that time, $20,000 had been distributed to the Lake Cumberland District Health Department and $1,300 to Russell County Opioid Liaison Jennifer Knifley.
Following Monday’s Russell County Fiscal Court meeting, Judge-Executive Randy Marcum told WJRS NEWS those figures were accurate when filed last August, but additional spending has taken place since then. He says more than $80,000 has now been invested in opioid prevention and treatment programs, and those expenditures will be included in the county’s next annual report, which is due to be filed next month.
Marcum says one of the county’s ongoing efforts involves helping families navigate the process of obtaining treatment for loved ones struggling with addiction through Casey’s Law.
Marcum also says county leaders have taken a cautious approach to spending the settlement funds because of concerns about whether expenditures will meet state and federal approval requirements. He says the regulations governing opioid abatement funding can be difficult to interpret, leaving some local officials hesitant to move forward with certain projects.
The Kentucky Association of Counties, which provides assistance to nearly all of Kentucky’s 120 county governments, currently has one staff member dedicated to helping counties navigate questions involving opioid abatement funding and compliance.