LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, community organizers in Louisville are once again calling on Metro Government to do more for harm reduction. 

What You Need To Know

  • VOCAL KY is asking the city of Louisville to do more in combating the opioid crisis and substance abuse disperser

  • The organization outlined its list of changes they’d like to see the city make

  • VOCAL KY and other community organizations have begun meetings with the city on these changes

VOCAL KY released its 2023 Roadmap for Louisville Metro Government to End Overdose and Reverse the Harms of the War on Drugs. 

The roadmap outlines four areas they’d like Louisville to better serve the community.

  • Expand access to harm reduction services, Naloxone and low barrier medication-assisted treatment for substance abuse. 
  • Expand access to emergency housing and end the clearing of homeless encampments. 
  • Commit to reducing the jail population to less than 1,000 people and expand non-police emergency response programs
  • Work to decrease overdose deaths and increase care for incarcerated people 

“There’s all kinds of easy ways that we can meet people where they are and try and remove some of the barriers that are keeping people unhealthy and unsafe,” Jennifer Twyman, an organizer for VOCAL KY said. 

In the roadmap, VOCAL KY, acknowledges positive actions taken by the city over the last year, which includes increasing access to Narcan in the jail. However, the group also has criticisms, such as the continued sweeps of homeless camps across the city. 

Last week, VOCAL KY and other community organizations met with the Greenberg administration for the first time about the changes they want made. The city has said it plans to keep having the meetings every other month. 

“It was productive, and I look forward to continuing that relationship,” Twyman said. 

At the end of Aug., VOCAL KY plans to host its second annual rally and march on International Overdose Awareness Day. The organization will march from Jefferson Square to the Muhammad Ali Center on Aug. 31. Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

Related Stories