The Local Lens is a public health podcast going inside one community's experience with the drug epidemic. Everyone in the town of Stanton, KY sees this drug issue differently from each other, either because of their personal lives or professional roles. This show aims to showcase those different perspectives by having honest, in-depth interviews.
The hospital is a place no one wants to visit. A hospital can be a place of reckoning, especially in the instance of overdoses. Some hospitals are catching on and are looking to provide more effective care in these situations. In this case, King's Daughters Hospital in Ashland, KY is having peer support specialists from Pathways to be there, ready to connect with people in the wake of their moments of crisis.
Richard Penick is one of these peer support specialists, and he is back for a second episode to share his work in the emergency department of the hospital. One of the main functions of his job is to connect the people he meets to the web of services available, helping people to achieve a full wraparound of treatment.
These are our people, using our voices, telling our stories, because no one sees it like we do.
You can hear more of Richard's backstory with here.
Richard is employed by Pathways, you can find them online at https://www.pathways-ky.org/ or reach them by phone at 606-324-1141.
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-562 8909
Visit findhelpnowky.org to find treatment options for you in Kentucky.
Need help now? Call the Mountain Comp Care 24-Hour Helpline: 1-800-422-1060
Learn more about the Kentucky State Police's Angel Initiative here.
Keep up with The Local Lens on Facebook, Instagram (@thelocallens_podcast) or on their website.
The Local Lens is sponsored by Kentucky Opioid Community Healing (from the Kentucky Rural Health Information Organization) and Powell County CARES (from the Powell County Health Department).
Find Powell County CARES on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/powellcountycares
Instagram: @powellcountycares