Kentucky should reconsider using psychedelics to treat opioid addiction, attorney general says

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s new attorney general, Russell Coleman, has urged a commission tasked with fighting drug abuse to “step back” from a proposal to invest in a psychedelic drug as a possible treatment for opioid addiction.

When the Republican’s predecessor was in office, the commission had considered dipping into the state’s massive opioid lawsuit settlement to study the use of ibogaine — a psychedelic with an international following that remains a Schedule 1 drug in the U.S. — with the goal of gaining federal approval to distribute it as a medication to treat opioid addiction.

Speaking to the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, Coleman said the state has to be “responsible stewards” of settlement funds, which were “purchased by the pain of Kentucky families.”

“In that spirit, I respectfully ask this commission to step back from previous proposals to allocate $42 million to ibogaine research and the unproven and incredibly expensive clinical trial,” Coleman said Tuesday.

“These vital resources — that some call ‘blood money’ — are too precious to gamble away,” he added.

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Although overdose fatalities remain staggeringly high, there have been glimmers of hope.

Kentucky had 2,135 overdose deaths in 2022, down more than 5% from the prior year and the first statewide decline since 2018. The increased prevalence of fentanyl — a powerful synthetic opioid — is blamed by officials as a key factor behind the state’s high death toll. Potent, inexpensive methamphetamine is seen as another significant contributor.

Coleman urged the commission to pursue innovations that “push the boundaries of addiction response,” and said he would like to see the group establish a $5 million pool for research and innovation grants.

“With a new fund tailored to big ideas, Kentucky can keep pushing the outer limit in this space,” he said. “And if someone brings forward an ibogaine research proposal that fits the criteria of this new innovative grant program, I hope the commission would give it full and fair consideration.”

The attorney general appoints some of the commission members under state law, and Coleman has named a new executive director.

Kentucky secured more than $800 million as part of settlements with companies for their roles in the opioid addiction crisis. Half of Kentucky’s settlement will go directly to cities and counties. The commission oversees the state’s half and has started awarding funding to grassroots groups that specialize in drug prevention, treatment and recovery services.

“With a new round of grant applications already underway, I look forward to seeing the selections you make this year,” Coleman told the commission.

Coleman, who took office at the start of the year, outlined his priorities for combating the Bluegrass State’s drug addiction woes. Strong treatment and enforcement programs are in place, he said, noting that there are “finally enough treatment beds available in Kentucky.”

“Now we are entering a new phase with a new challenge,” he said. “We need to build up the third leg of the stool: prevention.”

The attorney general’s office is developing prevention initiatives, with a focus on youth education, Coleman said. Those conversations with children need to start earlier, he said, and he urged the commission to be part of the effort to “build a gold-standard” statewide prevention program.

“When kids as young as 11 are dying from fatal overdoses … when a young person with limitless potential is stolen away because he thought he was taking a Xanax, it’s our responsibility to prepare them for this threat,” Coleman said.