The Hardin County Coroner’s Office has announced the hiring of Justin Blair, who will serve as the county’s new rapid response officer.
Hardin County Coroner Pat Elmore says the rapid response officer will be leading efforts to connect with and assist overdose survivors.
“So anytime there is an overdose that is survived, they will be making a response,” Elmore said. “We’re in the early stages of building a team to make responses to offer assistance. It will be anywhere from offering to take them to rehab services, any type of services they may need to help them in their recovery.”
Elmore said Blair has an extensive background for the job.
“Justin brings an extensive amount of experience in counseling and building a team as far as helping people to do their recovery and so forth, so he has an extensive history and extensive experience with it,” Elmore said.
Lincoln Trail District Health Department Social and Community Services Manager Jennifer Osborne says a rapid response team was identified as a missing element by the coroner’s office’s Overdose Fatality Review Team, and when Hardin County applied for Recovery Ready Community status with the state.
“That was one of the recommendations, along with the development of a recovery community center, and also the passage of the ability to operate a syringe service program within the county,” Osborne said.
Area residents looking for recovery resources can go online to www.findhelpnowky.org or contact the KY Help Call Center at 1-833-859-4357.
