The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission voted not to allocate $42 million from the over $800 million in opioid settlement funds the state received toward researching ibogaine — an experimental psychedelic treatment for opioid addiction.
Ibogaine has gained recognition for its potential to treat severe PTSD and minimize addiction withdrawal symptoms. However, the drug is classified as a Schedule 1 substance and has not been approved by the FDA. Although Kentucky did see a decrease in overdose deaths in 2022, the substance abuse crisis still plagues the state as lawmakers decide how to best use settlement funds toward treatment and recovery.
On Cincinnati Edition, we'll learn more about the opioid and substance abuse crisis in Kentucky and how agencies are working to provide resources statewide.
Guests:
- Valerie Hardcastle, Ph.D., St. Elizabeth Healthcare executive director of the Institute for Health Innovation
- Morgan Watkins, health reporter, Louisville Public Media
- Tara Moseley Hyde, CEO, People Advocating Recovery
Ways to listen to this show:
- Tune in live at noon ET M-F. Call 513-419-7100 or email talk@wvxu.org to have your voice heard on today’s topic.
- Catch the replay on 91.7 WVXU and 88.5 WMUB at 8 p.m. ET M-F.
- Listen on-demand. Audio for this segment will be uploaded to this page by 4 p.m. ET., or subscribe to our podcast