HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Christian County had 14 drug overdose deaths in 2023, with nearly 2,000 occurring throughout the state of Kentucky. New data from the governor’s office reveals the most affected counties in the state, and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office shared how they will continually combat drug abuse.

CCSO is committed to eradicating illegal narcotics in Hopkinsville and the surrounding area for the betterment of the community, while also recognizing the negative impact it has on families affected.

“Drug addiction is a far-reaching obstacle that not only affects the addicted, but also has a huge impact on the ones that care for them, love them and hope for healing in their lives,” said Chris Miller, the public information officer for CCSO. “Our agency understands this and continuously makes drug eradication in Christian County a priority.”

Prevalence of fentanyl and meth

A news release from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s office said drug overdose deaths have decreased for a second year in a row. Last year there was a 9.8% decrease, with 2,200 overdoses in 2022 and 1,984 in 2023. The year 2021 was the first time the state saw a decrease since 2018.

According to the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, fentanyl accounted for 79.1% of overdose deaths, while methamphetamine accounted for 55.2% of overdose deaths. A combination of these two drugs continues to be the most prevalent and dangerous.

“In response to the escalating fentanyl crisis, our resolve remains unwavering in 2024 to remove these and other harmful substances from our streets, with the ultimate objective of reducing or eliminating drug overdose fatalities in our community,” Miller told Christian County Now.

To help combat existing drug issues, Christian County Sheriff Tyler DeArmond established the Anti-Crime Unit in Christian County with the goal of aggressively targeting the drug epidemic. The ACU has played a critical role in drug arrests in 2024, including a recent indictment of 9 people facing drug charges including meth trafficking.

Most affected counties, Christian County’s response

With 120 counties in the state of Kentucky, these are the five counties with the highest number of overdose deaths in 2023.

  • Jefferson County: 496
  • Fayette County: 136
  • Kenton County: 80
  • Madison County: 63
  • Boyd County: 42

Jefferson County is the most populated county in Kentucky with over 700,000 residents in and around Louisville, while also having the highest number of deaths due to overdoses with 496. Meanwhile, Christian County had 14 overdose deaths in 2023 with a mortality rate averaging at 23 years old.

“We believe that the ACU’s efforts, in conjunction with our patrol division, are synergistic in achieving our goals of apprehending individuals in possession of illegal drugs, gathering actionable intelligence, and prioritizing the identification and prosecution of dangerous drug manufacturers and distributors,” added Miller.

Anyone seeking help with drug abuse can contact the KY HELP Call Center at 833-8KY-HELP.

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