# Meade, Pike, Wolfe counties certified as Recovery Ready Communities, totaling 42 **Published:** 2026-07-20T19:17:39.000Z **Source:** [Kentucky Health News](https://kyhealthnews.net/2026/07/20/meade-pike-wolfe-counties-certified-as-recovery-ready-communities-totaling-42/) **Republished from:** [Kentucky Health News](https://kyhealthnews.net/2026/07/20/meade-pike-wolfe-counties-certified-as-recovery-ready-communities-totaling-42/) (Authorized by publisher (with credit)) **Canonical:** https://kyhealthnews.net/2026/07/20/meade-pike-wolfe-counties-certified-as-recovery-ready-communities-totaling-42/ By Melissa Patrick, [Kentucky Health News](https://kyhealthnews.net) · July 20, 2026  Three more Kentucky counties have been certified as **Recovery Ready Communities**, signaling that they have the resources needed to help their residents recover from addiction. That brings the total to 42 counties out of 120. “There is no limit to the generosity and selflessness of Kentuckians, and that’s seen through the hard work being done to ensure less of our people face the pain of addiction,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a [news release](https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=Justice&prId=297). “Our four straight years of declines in overdose deaths are largely thanks to the work of our Recovery Ready Communities, and I know we’ll continue to make progress because of their passion and dedication.” The new Recovery Ready Communities are in Meade, Pike and Wolfe counties. About 95,000 Kentuckians live in those parts of the state, according to the release. “Across Kentucky, our people are seeing real differences made in the lives of their loved ones because of the Recovery Ready Communities program,” Recovery Ready Communities Advisory Council Chair Pam Darnall said in the release. “Pike, Wolfe and Meade counties receiving certifications shows that stakeholders across the commonwealth are making sure no Kentuckian goes without the treatment and support they need.” Meade County was recognized for its broad continuum of evidence-based care supports, through stakeholders like **Communicare**,**Recovery Works** and **Cumberland Family Medical Center**, with prevention efforts led by the **Meade County Champions Anti-Drug Coalition**. “I’m proud of the work being done across Meade County, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with the **Lincoln Trail District Health Department** as we keep building a community where hope, healing, and second chances are always within reach.” Meade County Judge-Executive Troy Kok said in the release. Pike County was recognized for its robust addiction prevention ecosystem, including the **UNITE Pike Coalition**, which complements other youth-centered programs in the school district to prevent addiction from an early age. Other resources include the **Pike County Health Department** and other stakeholders, including **Mountain Comprehensive Care Center**, **BrightView**, **Spero Health** and **BEAR Healthcare Clinic**. This designation will serve to strengthen our recovery ecosystem and inspire continued collaboration; it is an investment in the long-term health and economic vitality of Pike County,” **Pike County Judge-Executive Ray Jones** said in the release. Wolfe County was recognized for its strong, highly collaborative prevention system, which is centered around partnerships between **Wolfe Countians Against Drugs**, **Wolfe County Schools**, public health agencies, law enforcement and regional recovery organizations. “Recovery doesn’t happen because of one program or one organization. It happens because an entire community chooses to believe that people deserve another chance and then backs that belief with action. That’s what Recovery Ready Communities represent,” JoAnn Fraley, overdose prevention and recovery support manager at the **Kentucky River District Health Department**, said in the release. Beshear also recognized the continued work of the Northern Kentucky Region of Boone, Campbell, Kenton and Grant counties. In September 2023, these four counties were the first region to receive Recovery Ready certification, and they are collaboratively expanding and strengthening their recovery resources. “Northern Kentucky is honored to be recertified as Kentucky’s first regional Recovery Ready Community. We are grateful to the commonwealth for creating a process that helps communities inventory their assets, identify service gaps, strengthen transparency, and keep partners aligned toward a shared vision,” Amanda Peters, executive director of the**Northern Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy**, said in the release. ## Sources - [Kentucky Health News](https://kyhealthnews.net/2026/07/20/meade-pike-wolfe-counties-certified-as-recovery-ready-communities-totaling-42/)