Lockers offering harm reduction services for the LGBTQ+ community have been set up at 12 locations throughout Kentucky, as announced by Queer Kentucky.
In a bid to combat drug-related harm and promote safety in at-risk communities, Queer Kentucky, a Kentucky-based LGBTQ+ journalism nonprofit, has announced a statewide harm reduction initiative. As part of this initiative, they have installed twelve harm reduction lockers across various cities and counties in Kentucky.
The harm reduction lockers, placed in inconspicuous areas of local businesses serving at-risk populations, offer access to safe supplies for people who use drugs. These lockers contain essential harm reduction supplies, including naloxone (overdose reversal medication), fentanyl and xylazine test strips, bandages, condoms, HIV self-testing kits, pregnancy tests, sunscreen, aloe, and other safer use supplies.
The initiative represents a significant step towards reducing harm in Kentucky communities. Missy Spears, the executive director of Queer Kentucky, stated that providing direct resources is not in their normal workday, but the harm reduction lockers are their way of giving back to the community and filling a critical need.
The harm reduction lockers can be found in Northern Kentucky, Louisville, Lexington, Richmond, Berea, Johnson County, and Pike County. The location of most partner locations for the harm reduction lockers will be listed on findnaloxone.ky.gov, but some have chosen to operate quietly to avoid potential harassment.
This initiative comes amidst a decreasing trend in overdose deaths in Kentucky. In 2024, 1,410 Kentuckians lost their lives to overdose deaths, marking a 30.2% decrease from the previous year. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear credits harm reduction practices, including the distribution of Narcan, as playing a role in decreasing overdose deaths.
Queer Kentucky has expanded its content on substance use in the Queer community, including a full digital issue on harm reduction. The organisation feels it's better to quietly exist for those who need the harm reduction resources in certain spaces rather than bring a lot of attention to it, potentially causing pushback.
Some businesses serving communities with less experience around harm reduction models are operating on a "if you know, you know" basis. However, the initiative includes businesses from all corners of Kentucky, reflecting an effort to reach broad geographic areas within the state.
In conclusion, as of August 2025, Queer Kentucky’s harm reduction lockers are actively installed and distributed at twelve locations throughout Kentucky, serving as publicly accessible points for safer drug use supplies and harm reduction resources. The initiative is a significant step towards reducing harm and promoting safety in Kentucky communities.
- Queer Kentucky, based in Kentucky, has expanded its efforts to combat drug-related harm by installing harm reduction lockers in northern Kentucky, Louisville, Lexington, Richmond, Berea, Johnson County, and Pike County.
- These lockers, located in local businesses serving at-risk populations, provide access to essential harm reduction supplies such as naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, bandages, condoms, HIV self-testing kits, pregnancy tests, sunscreen, aloe, and other safer use supplies.
- The organization, a Kentucky-based LGBTQ+ journalism nonprofit, views this initiative as a way of giving back to the community and filling a critical need, despite it not being part of their normal workday.
- In light of a decreasing trend in overdose deaths in Kentucky, Queer Kentucky's harm reduction lockers aim to reduce harm and promote safety in communities across the state.
