HEAT

Fighting Kentucky's Heroin Epidemic
Mission
The mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Heroin Education Action Team (USA HEAT) is to reduce the growing harm to Kentucky families and communities caused by heroin/opiate abuse by increasing community understanding of this epidemic. USA HEAT is a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky and families who have lost a loved one to opiate overdose. These courageous moms, dads, brothers, sisters and children share their story in order to help others avoid the grief of losing a family member to a drug overdose.
Contact Us
For more information or to invite USA HEAT to address your group, contact:
USAKYE.HEAT@usdoj.gov or call 859-685-4906.
What We Do
Heroin, Fentanyl, and other dangerous drugs are increasingly available on Kentucky streets, with deadly consequences. The victims of drug addiction and overdose deaths are getting younger. Abuse of these deadly drugs is not limited to any particular socioeconomic group. The increasing incidence of opiate abuse fuels violent and property crime in our communities, stresses our social services network, burdens our healthcare system, and reaches into our schools. Most of all, this scourge is devastating Kentucky families and robbing us of the promise and potential of thousands of our citizens who are enslaved by addiction.
USA HEAT seeks to inform our communities of what we are up against, and what we can do to fight back. Our team members deliver a compelling message, based on the tragedy that they have experienced first-hand. USA HEAT seeks to mobilize our communities to implement a coordinated, effective response to this growing threat. U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr. and his staff partner with members of the team to deliver a truly powerful message to community groups about the growing heroin epidemic and its real impact on our families.
HEAT in the Media
- USA HEAT Member Nikki Strunck talks to high school students about drug overdose - WTVQ Lexington
- Courier Journal highlights federal overdose cases, featuring Jolene's story with USA HEAT member Jennifer Powell - Louisville Courier Journal
- USA HEAT Members Lynne Hulsing and Debbie Rains, along with Acting U.S. Attorney Carlton Shier, talk with LEX 18 Noon Show hosts Dia Davidson and Lee Cruse - WLEX 18 News Lexington
- USA HEAT Member Kayla Greene talks to ABC 36 News about heroin overdose as that channel highlights the CDC finding that drug overdose deaths outpace gun deaths nationwide-WTVQ Lexington
- USA HEAT Member Jennifer Powell relates a Survior's Story - Kentucky Law Enforcement Magazine
- USA HEAT features Opioid Death Investigations - Kentucky Law Enforcement Magazine
- USA HEAT Member Nikki Strunck shares her story prior to AG Loretta Lynch's visit to Central Kentucky -WKYT Lexington
- Click Here for more USA HEAT Media
Using a Comprehensive Approach
USA HEAT is an important element of a comprehensive approach to combatting Kentucky's opiate epidemic. Robust enforcement of federal drug laws is a necessary component of a successful effort.
Links
- United States Attorney's Bulletin - September 2016 - Addressing Heroin and Opioid Crisis
- National Heroin Task Force Report
- CDC Guidelines for Prescription Opioids for Prescribers & Patients
- Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict
- KIPRC Kentucky Drug Overdose Prevention Program (KDOPP)
- Get Help KY : A resource for people seeking substance use disorder services