RICHMOND, Ky. — A Community Against Drug Dealers event was held Saturday, July 20. U.S. Congressman Andy Barr, R-Lexington, State Sen. Donald Douglas, R-Nicholasville and Cheyene Helm of the Bright Light Foundation were among those who spoke. 

Community Against Drug Dealers takes anonymous tips from the community to identify drug dealers and report them to the police.

Barr talked to attendees about his concerns with fentanyl coming in through the southern border and its impact on communities in Kentucky and throughout the U.S.

“We have a lot of work to do on this," Barr said. "I applaud these citizens who are trying to help combat this and take personal tragedy into action and try to combat this scourge in our communities."

Helm, founder of the Bright Light Foundation, also shared her story and talked about her nonprofit, which raises awareness on fentanyl poisoning and gun violence.

Helm’s daughter, Brighton Hendron, died from fentanyl poisoning when she was staying at a family member’s home more than a year ago. Hendron was only 4 years old.

“Months later, God has done so much in my life since then, and the doors of opportunities that he’s opened up for me to speak about Brighton and to just continue to let her name and her picture and us be known that this happened to someone ordinary and our life became chaotic because of the fentanyl crisis,” Helm said.

Community Against Drug Dealers hosts several events throughout the state to bring awareness to the fentanyl crisis. According to the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, fentanyl accounted for almost 80% of overdose deaths in the state.