Tim Robinson, founder and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care, released the following statement today regarding Gov. Beshear’s appointment of Dr. Katie Marks as the new commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities:
“We thank Gov. Andy Beshear for his selection and congratulate Dr. Katie Marks on her new role. As project director of the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE), Dr. Marks has ensured treatment providers have a seat at the table. Thanks to her leadership, KORE has made significant investments in the state’s treatment stipend program and increased opportunities for second chance employment that are making a real impact for people in recovery.
“Last year, drug overdose deaths in Kentucky declined for the first time since 2018. To stop more lives from being lost to this terrible disease, we must continue taking a comprehensive approach to treatment and recovery that prioritizes long-term outcomes over short-term results. Kentucky is fortunate to have a behavioral health commissioner who truly understands this. We look forward to Dr. Marks’ continued leadership and innovation in addressing Kentucky’s addiction crisis and are committed to working alongside her.”
