Kentucky Funded Research to Map Opioid Disorder
A new research project will help identify the number of Kentuckians living with opioid use disorder in every county.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission has awarded a grant to researcher Chris Delcher to map the prevalence of opioid use disorder across the state. This project is part of a larger initiative that distributed over $30 million to more than 100 organizations this year.
Why it matters
Understanding the precise geographic distribution of opioid use disorder allows officials to direct critical treatment and recovery resources to the areas that need them most. These funds are drawn from historical settlement agreements with manufacturers and distributors.
The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission awarded grant funds to support a study mapping opioid use disorder prevalence across Kentucky's 120 counties. The project is funded as part of a $30 million statewide distribution initiative.
The players
Chris Delcher
An associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science and director of the Institute for Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy.
Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission
The state body responsible for managing and distributing settlement funds to address the opioid crisis.
The details
The commission determines the allocation of settlement dollars by analyzing data regarding the prevalence of opioid use disorder. By mapping this prevalence at the county level, the new research initiative aims to create a clearer picture of regional needs. This data-driven approach ensures that resources provided by opioid manufacturers and distributors are targeted to the populations currently experiencing the highest burden of the crisis.
Timeline
The commission distributed over $30 million in grant funds in 2026.
Health Landscape
This project aligns with the national effort to utilize settlement funds from opioid manufacturers for evidence-based community recovery. It shifts the state's response from reactive distribution toward a data-informed, targeted model of care for opioid use disorder.
If you or a family member are navigating recovery, this research may soon lead to expanded or more accessible treatment services in your specific county. Residents should stay informed about local health department announcements regarding new recovery programs emerging from these grants.
The takeaway
The state is prioritizing data to better match recovery resources with local population needs. Talk to your primary care physician or local health department if you are seeking information on current support services available in your community.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest resources and policy updates by visiting our Substance Abuse section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Richmond Register.
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