There have been at least three, perhaps four waves of opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. The first followed increasing prescriptions of natural and semi-synthetic opioids and methadone since 1999. The second began in 2010 with rapid increases in heroin-involved overdose deaths. The third began in 2013 with significant increases in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, especially fentanyl. Fentanyl, Carfentanil, Zylazine (a horse tranquilizer) mixed with heroin and methamphetamine are among the newest drugs showing up in overdose deaths with fentanyl garnering the most attention. Over several years opioid deaths have been decreasing. The first federally funded “narcotics farm” (NARCO), home to the Addiction Research Center, was established in Lexington in 1935. Research conducted at ARC has served as a foundation for basic science and clinical drug research from the mid-1930s to the present. Over the past 90 years researchers at UK have played critical roles in the scientific communities studying how to prevent and effectively treat drug abuse and dependence. Our speakers for the UKAEF meeting on September 9, 2025 continue that tradition.
Dr. Carrie Oser is Professor in the Department of Behavioral Science in the College of Medicine. Her BA is from UK and her MA and PhD are from the University of Georgia.
Dr. April Young has a BA from Transylvania University, her MPH from UK and a PhD from Emory. In 2021 she was named a University Research Professor. In 2019 the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NINDS) funded ($343.7M) the largest addiction prevention and treatment implementation study ever conducted. Teams from UK, Boston Medical Center, Columbia University, Ohio State and a coordinating Center at RTI conducted the 4-year, community randomized study in 67 communities, 16 of which were in Kentucky. Oser and Young were members of the 24-member leadership team at UK led by Professor Sharon Walsh from Behavioral Science in the College of Medicine. Professors Oser and Young will talk about the study and what it revealed about attempts to reduce opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. and in Kentucky.
September Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Place: St. Luke Church 2351 Alumni Dr. Lexington, KY 40517 (Due to construction around the Good Barn, all meetings for the 2025-2026 year will be held at St. Luke Church)
Social Time: 11:00 AM
Lunch: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Program: 12:00 p.m.
Speakers: Dr. Carrie Oser and Dr. April Young
Topic: “The HEALing Communities Study Helping People with Opioid Use Disorder”
Business Meeting: 1:00 P.M
September 9 Box Lunch Menu from McAlister's Deli
Be sure to make your box lunch selection on the form in this newsletter. Price is $15/box. The lunch box will include drinks (lemonade, sweet tea, or unsweetened tea with ice). Please submit your choice by the deadline of FRIDAY AUGUST 29.
Your choices include:
- The Veggie Box: Spinach, tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, red onions, house-roasted multi-colored peppers, avocado and herb mayo, seasoned with salt n' pepper on 9- Grain bread.
- Premium Club Sandwich Box: Ham, turkey, bacon, cheddar, mayo, honey mustard, lettuce, tomato., Potato salad, Cookie
- French Dip Box Lunch: Roast beef, Swiss cheese, au jus, with a side of Caesar salad and cookie
- Savannah Chopped Salad: Grilled chicken, cranberries, gorgonzola cheese, honey almonds, tomato, and cucumber sherry shallot dressing on mixed greens with a side of fresh fruit
* Make check for luncheon reservation payable to UK Association of Emeriti Faculty (UKAEF). Mail form and check to: UKAEF, c/o Casie Clements, 4812 Trillium Pl., Lexington, KY 40514-1410.
Deadline for making reservations or to cancel reservations is Friday, August 29, 2025.
If close to deadline: Call 859-523-3460 or email casie.ukaef@gmail.com