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Hardin County Quick Response Team Director Justin Blair says December saw another spike in drug overdoses.

“It’s still the same old thing with fentanyl and methamphetamines,” Blair said. “That’s really what’s creating all of this issue, and like I’ve said before, the hospitals use fentanyl, but it’s regulated, and so what they’re getting on the street is made in somebody’s basement, and it’s just super dangerous and you have no idea if it’s in what you’re getting or not, so you just have to be really, really careful.”

Blair says he recommends anybody currently struggling with addiction contact the QRT in order to receive free fentanyl testing strips to ensure they know if they are being exposed to the potent opioid. It is one of the many free and confidential services offered by the QRT.

“When there is an overdose, EMS or law enforcement, or anyone really, can put in a referral and then that will trigger me to find out where that person is and then go to them, and my goal is just to meet them where they are,” Blair said. “There are no consequences for me coming. You do not have to do anything. We just want to let people know that we’re there, and that there are resources available, and we will help navigate those resources for them.”

Blair says it is important for people struggling to know they are not alone.

“Substance use obviously is what we’ve got to get to the bottom of first, but then there’s other layers to what people are facing,” Blair said. “Housing is an issue, food insecurities could be a thing, and so we’ve got resources to help with those things as well. We want to try to eliminate as many barriers as we can.”

Visit the Quick Response Team – Hardin County Facebook page or email jblair@hardincountyky.gov for more information.

New Year’s Eve is upon us, and area law enforcement agencies are reminding Kentuckians to take precautions if alcohol is part of your celebration tonight.

“I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year, but also remind you to please celebrate responsibly,” said Elizabethtown Police Department Public Information Officer Chris Denham. “If you choose to consume alcohol, please be sure you have a safe ride home beforehand. A single decision to drive impaired can change lives forever.”

The Kentucky State Police is participating in two nationwide enforcement efforts aimed at keeping the roadways safe: Operation C.A.R.E (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort) and the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Operation C.A.R.E “focuses on reducing crashes through high-visibility patrols aimed at detecting impaired, distracted, and aggressive driving behaviors”.

The KSP offers the following holiday travel safety reminders:

-”Celebrate responsibly.” If alcohol is part of your plans, arrange transportation home ahead of time.

-”Slow down” for conditions such as winter weather, reduced daylight, and holiday traffic.

-”Stay focused.” Avoid distractions behind the wheel.

-”Speak up.” If you encounter an impaired or dangerous driver, when safe to do so call 9-1-1 or your local k-s-p post.

Both Operation C.A.R.E. and the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign run through January 1.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health on Tuesday announced the first pediatric death from influenza in the current respiratory virus season.

According to the KDPH, the child lived in Kenton County and had not received this season’s flu vaccine.

The KDPH says the number of flu cases is increasing across the state, especially among children. Most cases result in mild symptoms, but serious symptoms such as difficult or fast breathing, seizures, bluish lips or face, fever above 104 degrees, fever or cough that improves but then returns or gets worse, or the worsening of other medical conditions require medical attention.

Lincoln Trail District Health Department Public Relations Officer Melissa Philips says vaccination is one of your main defenses against illness.

“If you haven’t gotten your COVID vaccination or your flu vaccination, it’s not too late to do that,” Phillips said. “If you are somebody who qualifies for RSV, that is also a disease that’s spread through respiratory means, so all of those vaccinations are a good means of prevention.”

Health officials also encourage good health habits to help prevent the spread of illness, including staying home when sick and proper and frequent hand washing.

“I know you hear that a lot, but it is the number one way to prevent illness, so if you are ill or someone else is in the home is ill, it’s that frequent hand washing anytime you blow your nose or sneeze or use the bathroom or prepare food, any of those ways that germs are spread,” Phillips said.

Contact your healthcare provider or your local health department office for vaccination information. The most current data on respiratory virus activity in Kentucky can be found on the Cabinet for Health and Family Services website.