LOUISVILLE, Ky. — National, state and community organizations and partners are coming together this week to talk about Kentucky’s overdose crisis, housing and other challenges.
A two-day harm reduction symposium began in Frankfort Monday at First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church.
The symposium’s theme is “lead with your heart.”
“Harm reduction is simply saving lives,” said Shameka Parrish-Wright, director of VOCAL Kentucky. “That’s the simplest way I can put it. Saving lives. And what it takes for me to survive and what it takes for you to survive is different, and so what we have is an opportunity in Kentucky with all of the funding that is coming in to our state is to provide the services and care that people need.”
A panel including people who have struggled with substance use disorder and finding housing talked about barriers—like transportation, medication for treatment and identification cards.
“There are a lot of people, even in these last three months I have met on just about two hands, people that want to get into recovery that want help with housing but that cannot because of an ID,” said Stephanie Johnson with VOCAL Kentucky. “They don’t have the resources or the funding to get this identification.”
Former state representative Attica Scott said Kentucky’s lawmakers should take note.
“They need to focus on the issues that were brought up here today,” said Scott. “Housing was a top issue. An ID for people was a top issue. Taking care of families and kids was a top issue. Addressing mass incarceration.”
Organizers will hold breakout sessions and provide the overdose-reversing drug Narcan.
The symposium continues Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.