Louisville, Ky. — While there is growing evidence of progress in the nation’s battle against the opioid epidemic, particularly with a decline in fatal overdoses over the past two years, Black communities continue to face a devastating trend. Fatal overdose rates in these communities are rising, in stark contrast to the overall decline in the state, shedding light on the unique struggles faced by Black individuals battling addiction.
One such story is that of Rodney Hughes, who fell victim to opioid addiction at the young age of 14. Kenneth Hughes, his brother, shared the painful reality of how the addiction began after Rodney underwent back surgery to repair a herniated disc. Prescribed opioid painkillers for his recovery, Rodney’s dependency grew as his dosage steadily increased.
“When you start getting 180 pills at 14, and they just keep on increasing them to 280, 300, it’s hard to stop,” Kenneth Hughes explained. Despite his growing addiction, Rodney managed to maintain his life as a father, outdoorsman, and welder, all while quietly battling his addiction. His life came to a tragic end in 2022 when he overdosed at the age of 41.
Rodney’s death is part of a larger trend across Kentucky, where the overdose rate dropped nearly 10% overall in recent state reports. However, the rate of fatal overdoses among Black residents was 51.8% higher than that of white residents. This disparity has become a growing concern for health experts and local officials alike. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has reported a five-fold increase in fatal overdoses among older Black men since 2015, raising questions about the root causes of these alarming statistics.
Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of NIDA, emphasized in a 2024 report that factors such as age-related health disparities, social isolation, and structural racism could be contributing to the rise in overdose rates among older Black men. These challenges call for urgent and targeted intervention.
Cassandra Gray, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and CEO of Creative Spirits Behavioral Health, pointed out that a lack of healthcare practitioners of color exacerbates the issue. “It’s hard to be able to reach any of us if I don’t feel like you are able to address my needs or see me,” Gray explained, reflecting on the barriers faced by Black individuals seeking addiction treatment.
Gray is no stranger to the challenges of addiction herself. Her nephew, who has overdosed 10 times, is currently in treatment. Despite repeated overdoses, he has been brought back to life multiple times, underscoring the high stakes of the opioid epidemic in Black communities.
In response to this crisis, Kentucky is beginning to channel millions in settlement funds from opioid litigation. Just last month, Attorney General Russell Coleman announced a $110 million opioid settlement with Kroger, promising investments in treatment, prevention, and enforcement efforts.
While this funding comes too late to save Rodney Hughes, his brother Kenneth hopes that it will make a difference for others in similar situations. Kenneth advocates for proactive measures, including making naloxone (Narcan) more accessible. “I think they should put Narcan in all the stores and stuff so people can grab them,” he said. “After he died, I always kept one with me.”
As Kentucky grapples with how to allocate this new wave of funding, it’s clear that addressing the overdose crisis in Black communities must be prioritized, with targeted resources and culturally competent care. Without such efforts, the disparities in overdose rates will continue to grow, leaving behind more stories like Rodney’s that might have been prevented with better support and intervention.
