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Ky. gets big boost in fight against Rx ODs

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The federal government is giving Kentucky $3.7 million over the next four years to fight prescription drug overdoses.

Gov. Steve Beshear's office announced Thursday that the funding will go to the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, a partnership between the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the University of Kentucky College of Public Health.

Beshear said in a news release that legislation that took effect in 2012 has brought a decline in so-called "doctor shopping" and prescriptions for heavily abused medications.

He said the funding will help the state continue educating the public about the dangers of drug use and abuse.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's office said earlier the money will also will be used to target interventions in counties with some of the highest rates of drug overdoses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched the $20 million program. It is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Opioid Initiative.