Lexington, Ky. (June 21, 2022) – RECON KY, a consortium working to promote long-term recovery in Kentucky, today honored its 2022 Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame inductees.
“While addiction is still one of the commonwealth’s most pressing issues, I’m proud of the comprehensive and collaborative approach Kentucky has taken to address this public health crisis,” said former U.S. Congressman and Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher. “Since leaving public office, I’ve kept my commitment to helping Kentuckians return to healthy, purposeful, addiction-free lives, and it is an honor to be inducted into the Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame.” “Expanding and protecting access to care for all Kentuckians, including those struggling with substance use, was one of my top priorities as Governor, and I am grateful for this recognition,” said former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. “This crisis is far from over, and I will continue to work alongside other advocates and stakeholders to help more Kentuckians reach long-term recovery.” “I’m humbled to receive the 2022 Jay Davidson Recovery Hall of Fame Award,” said Mike Barry, former CEO of People Advocating Recovery (PAR). “During my time at PAR, I was able to use my personal recovery experience to advocate for meaningful policies that promote long-term recovery, and I will continue to support these efforts however I can. It is a privilege to be honored for this work alongside so many other distinguished recovery leaders.” “After experiencing the loss of so many employees to substance use, we felt compelled to step up and do more to address addiction in our community,” said Rob Perez, owner of DV8 Kitchen in Lexington. “We became intentional about hiring Kentuckians transitioning out of treatment and providing them with meaningful employment and mentorship. As the Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame’s first Employer of the Year, we will continue to champion second chance employment, destigmatize addiction and encourage others in the business community to do the same.” “Our 2022 Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame inductees have spent years pioneering a comprehensive approach to recovery in the commonwealth,” said Tim Robinson, founding member of RECON KY and president and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care. “They exemplify the collaborative effort it takes to ensure every Kentuckian has the best opportunity for sustained recovery. We’re grateful for their leadership and commitment to ending the addiction epidemic once and for all.” “When it comes to combating substance use in our state, the business community must be part of the solution,” said Beth Davisson, founding member of RECON KY and senior vice president of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. “We are proud to honor some of the individuals who have helped make Kentucky a more conducive place for treatment and recovery and will continue to work with them and other recovery leaders on these important issues.” The inductees were honored during the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s 4th annual Recovery in the Workplace Conference. The Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame launched last year with U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers and Jay Davidson of The Healing Place as its inaugural inductees. About RECON KY RECON KY is a consortium for recovery that brings together stakeholders from all parts of the treatment system. Our mission is to advocate for a comprehensive, long-term approach to recovery that addresses the social determinants of addiction, while strengthening treatment and mental health services to better serve all Kentuckians. For more information, visit reconky.org. About the Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame The Kentucky Recovery of Hall of Fame is an initiative of RECON KY to recognize individuals in long-term recovery and those who have taken a leading role in addressing Kentucky’s addiction crisis through prevention, treatment, education and advocacy. The Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame was established in 2021, with U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers and Jay Davidson as its inaugural inductees. For more information, visit kyrecoveryhof.com. (March 29, 2022) – RECON KY, a consortium working to promote long-term recovery in Kentucky, has opened nominations for its 2022 Recovery Hall of Fame Awards. Nominations are open now through Friday, April 29, 2022, and can be submitted at kyrecoveryhof.com/nominate.
The Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame was established in 2021 to recognize individuals in long-term recovery and those who have taken a leading role in addressing Kentucky’s addiction crisis through prevention, treatment, education and advocacy efforts. Last year, U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) and Jay Davidson, co-founder and executive chairman of The Healing Place, were named the inaugural inductees of the Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame. This year, nominations can be submitted for the following categories:
“Kentucky is home to some of the most impactful and innovative champions for recovery in the country. The Recovery Hall of Fame is about honoring these individuals and sharing their stories to inspire others,” said Tim Robinson, founding member of RECON KY and president and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care. “Employment is a critical component of long-term recovery, and we’re excited to recognize those in the business community who have stepped up to give Kentuckians in recovery a fair chance in the workplace,” said Beth Davisson, founding member of RECON KY and senior vice president of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. Nominations will be judged by founding members of RECON KY. The awards will be presented at the Kentucky Chamber’s Recovery in the Workforce Conference on June 21, 2022. For more information and to nominate an individual or employer for the 2022 Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame Awards, please visit kyrecoveryhof.com. About RECON KY RECON KY is a consortium for recovery that brings together stakeholders from all parts of the treatment system. Our mission is to advocate for a comprehensive, long-term approach to recovery that addresses the social determinants of addiction, while strengthening treatment and mental health services to better serve all Kentuckians. For more information, visit reconky.org. About the Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame The Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame is an initiative of RECON KY to recognize individuals in long-term recovery and those who have taken a leading role in addressing Kentucky’s addiction crisis through prevention, treatment, education and advocacy. The Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame was established in 2021, with U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers and Jay Davidson as its inaugural inductees. For more information, visit kyrecoveryhof.com. By Beth Davisson, Nancy Hale and Tim Robinson
For the past 18 months and counting, Kentucky has battled the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing its decades-long fight against addiction. This has truly been an epidemic within a pandemic. But our state has a unique opportunity on the horizon that may forever change how we address addiction-related issues. Earlier this year, the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis and the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health released a report discussing the factors that led to a decrease in drug overdose deaths in Eastern Kentucky between 2013 and 2017. The study points to several contributing factors associated with the region’s decline in drug overdose deaths, including increased access to substance use disorder treatment, the development of a recovery ecosystem, prevention and education around substance use disorder, and the existence of strong partnerships, coalitions and collaborations throughout the state. The COVID pandemic has created new challenges, reflected by the most recent Centers for Disease Control & Prevention data showing a nearly 50% increase in Kentucky drug overdose deaths between 2019 and 2020. More than 1,964 Kentuckians died from drug overdoses last year. Fortunately, we will have an opportunity in the coming months to bolster our efforts in the fight against addiction like never before. Kentucky is receiving an unprecedented amount of funding via the American Rescue Plan Act, and we applaud our elected officials for prioritizing the addiction crisis, even amid a pandemic. This is a big opportunity for Kentucky, and we must ensure these resources are allocated properly to have the most meaningful impacts and allow more Kentuckians to obtain long-term recovery. As evidenced by the NORC and University of Kentucky study, we have a solid framework to work from. These funds must go to the comprehensive and proven treatment programs that are already successful in helping Kentuckians reach sustained recovery. And while treatment is an important first step toward recovery, funding should also be allocated to the critical wraparound services that help address the social determinants of recovery, such as residential housing, meaningful employment, transportation, childcare and peer support. We know that employment, in particular, is vital to sustainable recovery. Programs that encourage fair chance hiring and provide training and reemployment services for individuals in recovery need ample support from policymakers. Finally, to build a strong foundation of prevention, we must reach Kentuckians when they are young. This allows us to empower them with the knowledge and information they need to healthy, substance-free lives and become strong leaders in their communities. The body of research around addiction treatment is growing. It has become increasingly clear that every individual is different and has unique needs that must be treated accordingly. There are now multiple proven pathways to recovery, many of which include medication-assisted treatment. Investing in these comprehensive programs and services is a good use of public funds. Every dollar invested in addiction treatment programs yields a return of between $4 and $7 in reduced drug-related crime, criminal justice costs and theft, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. There is great demand for mental health and addiction services across our state. At places like Addiction Recovery Care, The Healing Place and others, beds are available for people today. But if the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that our health care system can indeed be stretched too thin. To ensure we can continue meeting the increased mental health needs of Kentuckians in the years and decades to come, we must make investments now to build up and enhance our health care workforce. We can empower these dedicated individuals to play an active role in recognizing addiction and facilitating treatment when needed. Although Kentucky has long been known as the epicenter for the addiction crisis, we are also leading the country when it comes to working together to identify and implement innovative solutions. As founding members of RECON KY, a group of stakeholders working to increase opportunities for long-term recovery, we know our work is cut out for us, but we feel hopeful about the road ahead. With these new funding sources, we have an unprecedented opportunity to continue serving as a model to promote and support the proven treatment and recovery programs that are critical to overcoming this terrible addiction crisis and supporting our fellow Kentuckians. The opportunity is before us. Now, let’s work together to do it right. Tim Robinson is president and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care (ARC). Nancy Hale is president and CEO of Operation UNITE. Beth Davisson is senior vice president of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. The authors are all founding members of RECON KY, a consortium for long-term recovery that brings together stakeholders from all parts of the treatment and recovery system. Lexington, Ky. (June 29, 2021) – RECON KY, a consortium working to promote long-term recovery in Kentucky, announced today U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) and Jay Davidson, co-founder and executive chairman of The Healing Place, as the inaugural inductees of the Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame. The Kentucky Recovery of Hall of Fame, an initiative of RECON KY, recognizes individuals in long-term recovery and those who have taken a leading role in addressing Kentucky’s addiction crisis through prevention, treatment, education and advocacy. “I’m humbled to be honored as one of the first members of the new Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame, alongside my friend Jay Davidson from The Healing Place,” said Congressman Hal Rogers. “Nearly 20 years ago, we decided to stop sweeping the addiction crisis under the rug. We began to address this problem head on, and since then, we’ve broken down the silos between law enforcement, treatment and education. Our efforts are making a difference, and as long as we keep working together, I’m confident that we will continue curbing the tide on addiction in Kentucky and across the United States.” “I’m honored to be inducted into the Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame,” said Jay Davidson, co-founder and executive chairman of The Healing Place. “Through my work at The Healing Place, I’ve had the opportunity to help others find hope and healing from addiction. I am encouraged by the progress we’ve made in helping more Kentuckians lead healthy, productive and meaningful lives.” “Congressman Rogers and Jay Davidson are accomplished and inspiring leaders in the fight against addiction,” said Tim Robinson, founding member of RECON KY and president and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care. “Both have pioneered the creation of nationally-recognized treatment and recovery programs that have helped thousands of individuals find purpose and reach recovery. They are true examples of the progress we’ve made over the years and an inspiration to the rest of us working to help more people achieve long-term recovery.” The inductees were announced during the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s 3rd Annual Recovery in the Workplace Conference. Moving forward, RECON KY will invite the public to nominate Kentuckians for both the Jay Davidson Recovery Hall of Fame Award and the Congressman Hal Rogers Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame Award. More information about the nomination process for 2022 will be available soon. ABOUT RECON KY RECON KY is a consortium for recovery that brings together stakeholders from all parts of the treatment system. Our mission is to advocate for a comprehensive, long-term approach to recovery that addresses the social determinants of addiction, while strengthening treatment and mental health services to better serve all Kentuckians. For more information, visit reconky.org. About the Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame The Kentucky Recovery of Hall of Fame is an initiative of RECON KY to recognize individuals in long-term recovery and those who have taken a leading role in addressing Kentucky’s addiction crisis through prevention, treatment, education and advocacy. The Kentucky Recovery Hall of Fame was established in 2021, with U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers and Jay Davidson as its inaugural inductees. For more information, visit kyrecoveryhof.com. 6/25/2021 RECON KY Offers Input to Kentucky SSA for Substance Use & Mental Health Block Grant Allocation3/12/2021 Kentucky General Assembly Adopts Resolutions to Address Social Determinants of Addiction RecoveryKentucky General Assembly Adopts Resolutions to Address Social Determinants of Addiction Recovery |