top of page
Stripes

​

The Richmond Chamber and MORE Unite to Address the Opioid Crisis in Madison County
Friday, August 4, 2023
EKU Perkins Building
4436 Kit Carson Drive
Richmond, KY 
MORE LOGO.jpg
Richmond_Chamber_Logo_Full_Color.jpg
Agenda
Forest Road

AGENDA

August 4, 2023

7 AM
OPEN AA Meeting


8 AM
CHAMBER BREAKFAST
Our Workplaces & The Opioid Epidemic: What We Need to Know, What We Can Do


Businesses must play a role in combating the opioid crisis. Join us for a panel discussion to address this critical problem affecting the workforce in Madison County.  

​

9:30 AM

Counterfeit Prescription Narcotics and How One Pill Can Kill

Detective Sergeant Joseph Lain

Richmond Police Department

​

Counterfeit pills are fake medications that have different ingredients than the actual medication. They may contain no active ingredient, the wrong active ingredient, or have the right ingredient but in an incorrect quantity. Counterfeit pills may contain lethal amounts of fentanyl or methamphetamine and are extremely dangerous because they often appear identical to legitimate prescription pills, and the user is likely unaware of how lethal they can be.  This session will provide information on fake pills, how to tell if drugs are fake, how they are used, what their effect is on the body, and overdose effects.  

​

10:05 AM

What is Recovery Capital?

Gene Detherage

Deputy Director of Business Development at GET HELP

Recovery Capital is an emerging concept which focuses on the roles of individuals, communities, and community systems that foster positive outcomes for those seeking recovery from substance use disorders. This presentation will introduce the concept and nature of recovery capital, highlighting the major dimensions within a community, and will then shift to looking at current sources of literature on recovery capital and their findings. The final portion will focus on how communities can begin actively participating and developing recovery capital and what types of objectives or outcomes could be focused on to increase the overall health and wellness of the community.

 

Objectives:

  • Educate the audience on the concept and nature of recovery capital.

  • Educate the audience on how each macro-level system within a community plays a concrete role in the accrual or diminishment of recovery capital.  

  •  Deliver concrete examples of how communities can adopt recovery capital strategies.
     

10:55 AM 

The Impact of Peer Support and Recovery Allies

Sharon Hesseltine

President and CEO of Intentional Beginnings

 

 This session will offer participants an opportunity to learn about the value of involving individuals with lived experience as supports for those who are embarking upon their own journey towards recovery from substance use disorder.  Together we will gain an understanding of the depth and breadth of Peer-based Recovery Support Services across a variety of settings    along with discussing the role and functions of Peers. This session will culminate with a review of the impact Peers can have when they are well integrated and supported across the continuum of care.

 

Objectives:

  • Provide an understanding of the nature of Peer Recovery Support Services within the continuum of care for substance use disorder (prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery).

  • Examine the various settings utilizing Peer Support Specialists as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

  • Discuss the differences between Peer Support Specialists and Recovery Coaches.  

  • Illustrate the effectiveness of Peer Recovery Support Services.

​

11:45 AM

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Bringing Hope to Those in Need and the Stigma Surrounding the Disease
Adam Herald
Baptist Health Richmond
Behavioral Health Services, Community Liaison
 

Adam is a dynamic speaker whose uplifting story will lead you to see that there is hope for all struggling with Opioid Use Disorder.  He brings experience and knowledge to his presentation that will leave you understanding how one can go from the depths of despair to envisioning a bright future.  You don’t want to miss hearing Adam, as he will help change your perspective on working with people striving to reach recovery and how to help them live and work in a positive and caring environment!
 

Speakers


Chamber Breakfast Panel Discussion
Our Workplaces & The Opioid Epidemic: What We Need to Know, What We Can Do

Businesses must play a role in combating the opioid crisis.  Join us for a panel discussion to address this critical problem affecting the workforce in Madison County.
 

2022_Reagan_Taylor-Judge_Executive.jpg

Reagan Taylor 
Moderator

Madison County Judge Executive

 

Reagan Taylor has served as Judge Executive of Madison County since 2015.  Madison County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Commonwealth and is booming with over 100,000 residents, including 17,000 students from Eastern Kentucky University and Berea College.  Judge Taylor has spent his entire life in our county and began his career as an entrepreneur, starting his own construction and real estate company before shifting to a career in public service.  Reagan resides in Madison County with his wife, Kelly, and their two daughters, Katherine and Natalie. Having felt called to serve in public office, he doesn’t know what the future holds but is committed to doing everything he can to “build a better Madison County.”

Brandi Hon

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
 

Brandi Hon serves individuals and families impacted by addiction through her work at the Kentucky Chamber Foundation.  As a Program Manager for the Workforce Recovery Program, Brandi is passionate about promoting workforce recovery and helping employers develop policies and programs that support employees in recovery. She is dedicated to building strong partnerships with businesses, government agencies, and community organizations to create a supportive and inclusive work environment for those in recovery. Brandi has seen firsthand the impact that addiction has on the children and families in Kentucky.  Her educational background in elementary education, learning and behavior disorders, and educational leadership has provided her with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families impacted by OUD/SUD. She received her elementary education degree from Eastern Kentucky University, her master’s degree in Learning and Behavior Disorders (K-12) from Georgetown College and in Educational Leadership at Eastern Kentucky University.  In her spare time, Brandi enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, and being on the water. She is committed to making a positive impact in her community and is actively involved in various community service initiatives.
 

Brandi.jpeg
Lora King, RN.jpg

Lora King

MSA, BSN, RN, SANE
Baptist Health Richmond

​

Lora King is the Executive Director of Specialty Services at Baptist Health Richmond.  She obtained her associate and bachelor’s degrees at Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Science in Administration from Union College.  Lora has unique insight into the issues people battling Substance Use Disorder/Opioid Use Disorder (SUD/OUD) face through her work as a nurse and administrator.  This experience helps her understand and effectively help patients and their families deal with this disease.  Lora was awarded the White House Medical Unit Outstanding Achievement Award in October 2018 and was a nominee for the Daisy Award at Baptist Health Richmond in May 2019.  The Daisy Award is a nationally recognized honor for nurses exhibiting exemplary service and compassion.  Lora is one of the tireless angels that meet the needs of patients and their families dealing with SUD/OUD.  In addition, Lora is a passionate community volunteer for the Salvation Army, Project 25:16 for Baptist Health Richmond, and Mission Madison for feeding the homeless in our county.  Lora and her family reside in Berea, Kentucky.   

Ritchie_Dennis_57.jpg

Dennis Ritchie
Goodwill Industries

 

Dennis Ritchie is the Senior Director of Reentry for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky.  Previously, he has served as the Reentry Director, Interim Director of Career Services and as Career Services Manager for LifeLaunch, a DOL grant-funded program for adults reentering society.  In 2019, under Dennis’ leadership, Goodwill was awarded the Lucille Hurt Robuck Commitment to Corrections Award for its efforts in the reentry field.  He has been involved in the community as a member of the Greater Louisville Reentry Coalition, Equity/Reentry Task Force of Urban Strategies, National Criminal Justice Association, National Reentry Workforce Collaboration, Recovery Housing Coalition, and Chairs the Opportunity Network.   He graduated from Bradley University 1994 B.S. in Finance, University of Kentucky College of Law 1997 J.D. law, and before joining Goodwill was a partner in the law firm of Dillingham & Ritchie 1999 -2006, and a sole practitioner, Dennis M. Ritchie attorney at law, specializing in criminal defense 2006-2012.    

 

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Hope Within Our Community 

Learn about the opioid crisis in Madison County, as well as Counterfeit Prescription Narcotics
and How One Pill Can Kill, Recovery Capital, and the Impact of Peer Support and Recovery Allies.  

 

Adam.jpg

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Adam Herald


Adam Herald, Community Liaison of Baptist Health Richmond Behavioral Health Services, is a native of Richmond, KY. An avid golfer, Adam was a member of the 2009 KY All-state golf team. He went on to play college golf at EKU before battling with mental health and substance use disorder. After seeking help and gaining sobriety, Adam spent several years in California working with people to help overcome similar struggles of their own. Spreading awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and mental health within the community that he grew up in, is at the top of Adam’s priority list. Adam works within the community to help bridge the gap and break down barriers for those trying to find a way out of addiction by providing them with hope and connecting them with behavioral health services. Adam resides in Richmond with his wife Mackenzie, and their two children, Brooks (4 years) and Charley True (10 months).

Sgt. Lain.jpg

Sergeant Joseph Lain 
Richmond Police Department

 

Detective Sergeant Lain began his career with the Richmond Police Department in 2006 and has been with the department for 17 years.  He is currently assigned as the Detective Sergeant over the Criminal Investigations Unit.  Sergeant Lain has also served as a Patrol Officer (second shift), as a Bike and Street Crimes Officer, as an undercover/covert Narcotics Detective, and was attached to the Appalachia HIDTA Drug Task Force.  Sergeant Lain is currently a member of the Richmond Police Department’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU Unit), where he has been for the past 9 years.  He is a certified Firearms, Taser, ASP Baton, Defensive Tactics, and Mass Causality/Active Shooter instructor.  Sergeant Lain enjoys working with the community in his hometown and takes pride in training new officers.  

Gene.jpg

Gene Detherage
GET HELP
 

Gene Detherage Jr. is a native of Knox County, KY, and a lifelong resident of Appalachian Kentucky.  Gene entered long-term recovery from substance use disorder in July 2014 and has dedicated his professional career to alleviating the region's devastation from the social and economic consequences of the substance use disorder crisis.  He graduated from Morehead State University with a master’s in public administration in May 2020.  In June of 2021, he was appointed by Governor Andy Beshear to the Advisory Board for Recovery Ready Communities after helping with the genesis of the initiative during his participation in Leadership Kentucky's BRIGHT Class of 2020.  Gene worked for former Governor Ernie Fletcher from 2019 to 2022 helping to expand access and quality for recovery housing in Kentucky's rural communities as part of the HRSA Rural Center of Excellence in Recovery Housing.  Throughout that time, he served on the Board of Directors for Frontier Housing, a FAHE member and affordable housing non-profit serving a 22-county region in Northeastern Kentucky, where he helped start a home loan program specifically for individuals in long-term recovery that was recently funded by the US Department of the Treasury through their CDFI program. In October 2022, he was elected President of Kentucky Recovery Housing Network's Advisory Board, a statewide initiative to provide oversight and quality standards for recovery housing in Kentucky. Through this role, Gene served as a primary source of advocacy and expertise to Representative Samara Heavrin and the Kentucky League of Cities on HB 248 which passed the General Assembly in 2023 and was signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear on March 24, 2023.  Gene currently works at GET HELP as the Deputy Director of Business Development helping to expand research on recovery and technological continuity of care solutions to the recovery support services field. He also provides work through his consulting business, Detherage Recovery Solutions, to help those seeking to develop ethical, responsible, and sustainable recovery housing projects.  Gene resides in Morehead, KY with his wife Kiara and their two sons, Caleb and William. 

Sharon.jpg

Sharon Hesseltine 
Opioid Response Network

Sharon Hesseltine, BSW is President and CEO of Intentional Development, providing consultation, facilitation, and training to strengthen services for pregnant and parenting families who have substance use disorders, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and trauma.  Sharon received her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University in 1981, and in 2011 completed a 2-year post-graduate Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from the University of Minnesota.  For over 30 years, Sharon has worked in Public H
ealth and specialized in early childhood development, women’s health, substance use disorder, and recovery.
 
Her career has ranged from providing direct services to women through managing two sober living residences to designing and facilitating statewide and local collaborative initiatives that call on her skills in public policy, strategic planning, cross sector collaboration, program assessment, and marketing.  Sharon has served as a national trainer, Technology Transfer Specialist, Advanced Implementation Specialist, and facilitator for multiple organizations including the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the National Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC), and the Opioid Response Network. In 2018, Sharon took the lead in developing SUD specific training for Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  This project has since been expanded to include Recovery Planning and to build statewide capacity through implementation of a National Training of Trainers component.  Sharon was recently named as the Chairperson of the Peer Led Steering Committee for the SAMHSA funded National Training & Technical Assistance Center of Excellence focusing on Peer Based Recovery Support Services.
 
Sharon is passionate about developing the capacity of communities, organizations, and individuals to better meet the needs of those with substance use disorders. With her husband, Scott Hesseltine, she currently resides in Louisville, KY.

 

Chamber Team

Chamber Team

The Richmond Chamber of Commerce team is here to ​guide and support
your member experience every step of the way. 

MORE Team

MORE Team

Kentucky River Foothills' Rural Community Opioid Response Program (RCORP) grant developed MORE (Madison County Opioid Response and Empowerment), a consortium of organizations committed to working collectively to drive change in how Madison County responds to this epidemic.  MORE works to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with opioid overdoses and is diligently working to develop long-term solutions to Madison County’s crisis.

Need Help

IF YOU NEED HELP


KY HELP Statewide Call Center
1-8338-KY-HELP
(1-833-859-4357)
or text HOPE to 96714  

Operation UNITE staffs the KY HELP Statewide Call Center, a toll-free line providing personalized, compassionate assistance, and resources for Kentuckians seeking help for a substance use disorder and offering support to their families.

bottom of page