FRANKFORT, Ky. — Attorney General Russell Coleman, R-Ky, announced a new drug prevention program in partnership with a few Kentucky universities.
This is the first campaign of its kind in the commonwealth, as student-athletes will lead the Better Without It initiative.
“It's a research-backed and positively driven campaign to show the young kids of our commonwealth that they can live healthy, fulfilling lives without the scourge of substance abuse, without the scourge of drug use,” Coleman said.
This will be accomplished with the help of athletes from the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University.
“We've signed NIL deals with some of Kentucky's biggest names to tell Kentucky's youth that they are indeed better off without it,” Coleman said. “This message is going out to where the young people are: on social media, podcasts and around college campuses.”
This effort has been funded by $3.6 million from Kentucky Opioid Abatement settlements.
“This has not been done in a statewide effort before; again, it's Kentucky leading the way in the nation, in terms of how we treat young people and how we get better,” said Chris Evans, director of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission.
Coaches from UK and UofL attended Wednesday’s event and said they were pleased to be part of the initiative.
“I’m confident and I feel great about what we're here for today and I can stand before you and look every one of you in the eye to tell you that we're happy to lock arms, and we're excited about this opportunity to impact more young people,” said Nick Mingione, UK head baseball coach.
“We are proud to stand here with so many important leaders from across the state to show our support," said Jeff Brohm, UofL head football coach.
Nearly 2,000 Kentuckians died from overdoses in 2023. The goal is to promote a drug-free future.
