FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug 11, 2026) –Attorney General Russell Coleman announced today the appointments of Alex Elswick, and Dr. Carrie Oser, and the reappointment of Van Ingram to the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (KYOAAC) for a two-year term.
Elswick, of Lexington, will serve as the voice for victims of the drug crisis. He is a co-founder of Voices of Hope, a recovery center in Lexington which offers a variety of services to people struggling with substance abuse issues. Elswick also serves the University of Kentucky as an Assistant Extension Professor for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. He is also in long-term recovery from addiction.
Download a picture of Elswick here.
Dr. Oser, will represent the research community. In July, she was named as Director of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine's Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (CDAR).
Download a picture of Oser here.
Ingram, of Frankfort, was reappointed to represent the treatment and prevention community. He is the Executive Director for the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy.
Download a picture of Ingram here.
“For too long, Kentucky has been at the center of the drug crisis. But we are also blessed with some of the nation’s best leaders in recovery,” said Attorney General Coleman. “It’s an honor to serve alongside the Commission as we take on the drug epidemic in Kentucky and save lives.”
“Alex Elswick is a strong advocate for Kentuckians in recovery for opioid abuse and addiction. His experience, compassion, and leadership make him an outstanding choice for the Kentucky Opioid Advisory Commission. I look forward to the positive impact he will continue to have on communities across the commonwealth,” said Congressman Andy Barr.
“As a life-long Kentuckian and a person in recovery, I'm honored to serve on the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission and grateful for the opportunity to contribute,” said Alex Elswick, co-founder of Voice of Hope. “Kentucky has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest opioid settlement funds in ways that save lives, strengthen communities, and expand access to prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction. I look forward to working alongside fellow colleagues to ensure these resources are used thoughtfully, transparently, and in ways that are guided by evidence and the voices of people most affected by the overdose crisis.”
“I am honored to have been appointed to the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission,” said Dr. Oser. “I look forward to working alongside fellow commissioners and community partners to help guide evidence-informed investments that expand prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts while addressing the ongoing impact of the opioid crisis across our state.”
"Across Kentucky, we're expanding access to treatment resources to make sure all of our people have the support they need to overcome addiction," Office of Drug Control Policy Executive Director Van Ingram said. "By working together, stakeholders across the commonwealth are helping their neighbors while decreasing overdose deaths for four straight years, and I look forward to continuing this progress on the Opioid Abatement Commission and beyond. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, know that help is available right now."
The terms will expire on June 30, 2028.