WQXE News

The Breckinridge County Health Department hosts monthly Narcan training events, but with statistics showing that 6.4 percent of Kentucky children ages 12 to 17 have reported using illicit drugs, the department decided to host a teen Narcan training event.

“It’s for ages 14 to 19, so high school and then those starting to go off to college,” said BCHD Harm Reduction Program Coordinator Kayela Bennett. “We teach them the signs of an opioid overdose, how to use Narcan, how to call for help, and then we teach them about the dangers of opioids like fentanyl and those things that could be out on the street or in substances that they take that they didn’t know they took.”

Bennett says your child may not be in that 6.4 percent, but they can help somebody who is.

“You never know who could need it,” Bennett said. “It could be you, it could be a friend, it could be a family member, it could be a stranger on the street, and the more people that are aware and educated on how to use it, then the more lives that can be saved,” Bennett said.

The training event will be held at the health department at 5:30 p.m. CDT on July 23. Registration is required. Find the link to register on the Breckinridge County Health Department Facebook page.

As the school year gets closer, the health department also is offering special back to school packs for college kids.

“It comes with a drawstring bag that has our logo and everything on it, and then inside they get Narcan, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, a pack of condoms, and then education on an opioid overdose, first aid, kratom, marijuana, and then also the contact information for the Poison Control Line,” Bennett said.

Contact Bennett at 270-668-7294 to reserve a college pack.

Registration for independent or other voters continues to see gains in Kentucky. 

The Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office says independent or other registration accounted for two-thirds of new voter registrations in the month of June.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, independent or other registration increased by 1,579 voters. Republican registration increased by 828 voters, and Democratic registration fell by 890. Republican registration makes up 47 percent of the state electorate, Democratic registration makes up 42 percent, and independent or other registration makes up 11 percent.

The Secretary of State’s Office says 4,228 voters were removed from the rolls in June. 3,006 were deceased, 547 were felony convicts, and 410 moved to another state.

Kentuckians can register to vote or check their registration status by visiting govote.ky.gov, or by contacting their county clerk’s office.

New and prospective students at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College are invited to the college’s Open House Days, which run every Tuesday through July 29 from 12 to 6 p.m.

“You can take tours, you can get registered, you can work with your financial aid office, you can see where your classes would be, and you can just come in and get ready, get that early prep work in,” said ECTC President and CEO Dr. Juston Pate. “Know your schedule, so if you have to make any kind of accommodations for child care work, we really encourage people to come on out and get that done.”

Visitors can also learn about financial aid opportunities including the ECTC Dual Credit to Degree Scholarship and the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, and students can get help filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Pate says when it comes to preparing for class, the earlier the better.

“All the research and statistics show that the earlier you get your schedule and get in, the more likely you are to be successful,” Pate said. “You’ve got more time to get your materials and schedule straight.”

Open house attendees may arrive any time between 12 and 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Regional Postsecondary Center. Tours will be conducted at 2 and 4 p.m. Contact the admissions office at 270-769-2371 or by emailing ectcrecruitment@kctcs.edu for more information.

The first day of classes at ECTC is August 18.