On October 7, 2019, I participated with several dignitaries in an event at the University of Kentucky, Lexington on the HEALing Communities Initiative. This study will test a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to reducing opioid-related deaths in selected U. S. communities. The University of Kentucky is a research partner in HEAL. Also involved in the event was Alex Elswick who heads the Lexington-based Voices of Hope, an organization that helps people in recovery stay in recovery. Recently, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) filmed this video with Alex in which he shared his story of recovery. The producers of the video also asked me to weigh in on the importance of a community-based approach to combating the opioid crisis. Credit: HHS
