MANCHESTER, Ky. (LEX 18) - — Vice President Mike Pence, alongside Governor Matt Bevin and Congressman Hal Rogers, addressed the opioid epidemic in the Commonwealth and the Trump administration's plan to combat crisis.
While Vice President Pence acknowledged the challenges Kentucky faced from the podium at the EKU Satellite Campus in Manchester, he thanked multiple organizations for their continued efforts to fight the drug problem in the state. Since December 2015, Pence pointed out that Kentucky has made significant progress in combating the opioid epidemic within the Commonwealth.
Kentucky’s recently released 2018 overdose report showed fatal drug overdoses in Kentucky declined by nearly 15% compared to the previous year.
He also announced, alongside U.S Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, that Kentucky would $10 million of a $400 million HRSAgov grant.
Some of the organizations which will receive grant money include programs at the University of Pikeville, Eastern Kentucky University, and Grace Community Health Center.
Pence also spoke to directly to the camera and urged those who are in the grips of addiction to seek help.
Prior to their arrival at Manchester's EKU campus, Governor Bevin and VP Pence spoke with LEX 18 about the situation involving miners in Harlan County.
"American coal knows President Trump and our entire administration are with them and we’ll continue to stand with them," said Vice President Pence.
