A new grant-funded program through Bluegrass.org is designed to help those addicted to opioid drugs in Clark and surrounding counties.

Through the grant, the health organization created a Service Outreach Resource Training (SORT) team to address needs as well as providing training sessions for first responders and others in the community.

Shaye Walker was recently hired as the outreach and training specialist for the program, and will work with a care coordinator to work with local emergency agencies and detention centers to promote training and help set up Narcan programs with departments, prevention specialist Mikka McGee said.

Walker and McGee will also work together to help assess needs of communities in Clark, Madison, Estill and Powell counties and working to curb the spread of addiction.

“My role is more substance abuse prevention for adolescents,” McGee said. They will also offer resources to local agencies throughout the four counties for those programs, as well as suicide prevention and awareness, and alcohol and tobacco use, she said.

A care coordinator will also coordinate care for those dealing with addiction and related diagnoses including hepatitis C and HIV.

People may also be eligible if they have overdosed within the last three months or are at risk for such diagnoses because of their lifestyle.

To find out more about Bluegrass.org and its services, call 800-928-8000.