Kentucky Launches Online Dashboard to Track Opioid Settlement Spending Across the State
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman unveils a new public dashboard developed with University of Kentucky RADOR team to track how opioid settlement funds are being invested in prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Kentucky families now have unprecedented visibility into how opioid settlement dollars are being spent across the Commonwealth. Attorney General Russell Coleman, in partnership with the University of Kentucky's Rapid Actionable Data for Response (RADOR) team, has launched a new online dashboard that provides public access to state and local opioid settlement spending data.
The dashboard, unveiled during the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission's July meeting, represents a significant step toward transparency in how the state is addressing the ongoing addiction crisis. For families seeking treatment resources or simply wanting to understand how their communities are responding to substance use disorders, this tool offers concrete information about prevention, treatment, and recovery investments.
What the Dashboard Shows
The new online portal aggregates reporting from local governments and state grant funding programs into an accessible, user-friendly interface. Kentuckians can now see:
- How much settlement funding each community receives
- What programs and services are being funded
- How funds are distributed across prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives
- Which organizations are receiving grants
"Across Kentucky, communities are investing in the three-legged stool of prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts to combat the drug crisis and to save lives," said Attorney General Coleman at the dashboard launch. "Now, every Kentuckian can see how these resources are being invested to promote best practices, innovative ideas and — above all — hope."
Background: Tracking Settlement Funds
Kentucky's commitment to transparency began in July 2025, when the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission launched an online portal requiring local governments to report how settlement dollars are being used. Under Kentucky law, each community receiving funds must submit annual reports by August 31, detailing spending during the previous fiscal year.
The new dashboard takes this reporting a step further by making the data easily accessible to the public. Rather than navigating complex government reports, residents can now view comprehensive information with just a few clicks.
"This is the first time we can accurately show what resources are coming into Kentucky to battle the opioid epidemic and how they are being used," said Christopher Evans, director of Kentucky's Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. "This information will allow Kentuckians to maximize the opportunity we have before us to save lives and change the trajectory of substance misuse in the Commonwealth."
University of Kentucky Partnership
The dashboard was developed through a partnership between the Attorney General's office and the University of Kentucky College of Public Health's RADOR team. Lindsey Hammerslag, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Biostatistics, served as principal investigator for the project.
"The RADOR team is dedicated to helping our state partners improve how they capture, understand and share data," said Dr. Hammerslag. "Our partners within the commission have demonstrated a strong commitment to transparency, working with us every step of the way to ensure that the dashboard is accurate, easy-to-understand and useful."
The collaboration reflects a growing trend of academic institutions supporting public health data initiatives, combining research expertise with practical tools for communities.
Recent Grant Awards
The commission also announced new grant awards starting July 1, 2026, supporting research and prevention initiatives across the state:
Prevention Grants:
- Melinda Ickes, College of Education: "#IChampionHealth Live Like a Champion" — Expanding youth substance-use prevention (grades 4-8) through statewide regional train-the-trainer partnerships ($198,906)
- Aaron Brown, College of Social Work: "Stronger Together" — A prevention program for families of people who use drugs ($200,000)
Research and Innovation Grants:
- Chris Delcher, College of Pharmacy: "Estimating Opioid Use Disorder in Kentucky Counties" ($514,194)
- Hannah Knudsen, College of Medicine: "Strategies for Harnessing Implementation and Facilitating Training on Contingency Management (SHIFT-CM)" for treating opioid and stimulant use disorders ($701,662)
- Gopalkumar Rakesh, College of Medicine: "Helping Kentuckians Overcome Opioid Addiction and Depression with Brain Stimulation" ($733,007)
Since 2023, the commission has awarded 300 grants totaling $86.5 million to organizations throughout Kentucky.
Why This Matters for Families
For families affected by addiction, understanding where resources are being invested can be crucial for accessing care. The dashboard helps identify:
- Treatment availability: Which communities are expanding treatment capacity
- Prevention programs: Youth and family-focused initiatives in specific regions
- Recovery support: Housing, employment, and peer support services
- Innovation: New approaches being tested through research grants
Kentucky is receiving approximately $1 billion from the national opioid settlements over 18 years. The dashboard ensures these funds are used accountably and effectively.
What's Next
The dashboard will be updated at regular intervals, with new functionalities planned for development over the coming months. Data on the platform includes both local government reporting and state grant funding information, giving Kentuckians a comprehensive view of opioid abatement investments.
As more communities submit their annual reports by the August 31 deadline, the dashboard will continue to grow as a resource for understanding how Kentucky is responding to the addiction crisis.
How to Access the Dashboard
Kentuckians can view the opioid settlement spending dashboard at kyoaac.ky.gov/dashboard. The site is publicly accessible and does not require registration.
For families seeking immediate help with substance use disorders, the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) provides free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information services in English and Spanish.
The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission meets regularly to oversee settlement fund distribution. Meeting minutes and additional information are available through the Attorney General's office.
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