FAYETTE COUNTY, Ky. — Fayette County saw a decline in fatal overdose deaths in 2024. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said this is a significant step forward in the community’s fight against opioid abuse.

According to recent data, the county has seen a reduction in overdose fatalities, from 177 in 2023 to 120 in 2024.

“This is a testament to the collaborative efforts of local programs, organizations, health care providers and harm reduction initiatives,” Gorton said.

The city identified the following key initiatives that contributed to the decline in deaths:

• Expanded Access to Treatment: Increased availability of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and peer recovery support services.
• Harm Reduction Programs: Distribution of naloxone (Narcan) and fentanyl test strips, along with syringe service programs aimed at preventing fatal overdoses.
• Community Education & Awareness: Public health campaigns reducing stigma and encouraging those struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) to seek help.
• Law Enforcement & First Responder Engagement: Improved training for emergency responders to administer life-saving interventions.
• Investment in Recovery & Family Support: Strengthened resources for individuals and families affected by addiction.

Carmen Combs Marks, Lexington’s Substance Use Disorder Intervention program coordinator, said it’s an encouraging sign.

“Through prevention, treatment, recovery services and harm reduction strategies, we are working together as a community to save lives and support individuals on their path to healing,” Marks said.

Scott Luallen works with Marks. He canvasses the community regularly to administer Naloxone in a non-traditional approach to reach all people in the community. Luallen has distributed over 5,000 kits between 2024 and March 2025.

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has also helped with reduction efforts.

“This is a testament to the work being done by so many in this community to help save every life possible,” said John Moses, team leader of Harm Reduction Services at the Health Department. “The people with substance use disorder are members of this community, and we do this work for them and their families. The partnership between the Health Department and the city, working with strong community partners, will continue to make great strides in combatting the opioid epidemic.”

The Lexington Fire Department’s Quick Response Team distributed 230 Narcan kits in 2024. Overall, 356 overdoses were successfully reversed in 2024 by Lexington firefighters.

Over the past two years, police officers in Lexington have administered naloxone over 180 times.

However, the mayor said there’s still work to do.

“Every life lost to addiction is one too many,” Gorton said. 

The mayor said the city will continue investing in sustainable solutions. She is reviewing recommendations from the Opioid Abatement Commission on how to use local opioid litigation funds.