Barren Editor Awarded Grant to Track Opioid Funds

Staff Report

 

Local newspaper editor Allyson Dix has been named the Kentucky recipient of a microgrant award aimed at tracking the opioid funds in her reporting county of Barren.

Reporting on Addiction, an organization that focuses on many facets of addiction, announced the 2025 winners on August 27. Only three states were included in this year’s awards, with two other recipients being from Maine and New Jersey.

“We are committed to supporting journalists in the exploration of addiction, treatment and recovery through reporting that reduces stigma in their communities,” said Rachel Molenda with Reporting on Addiction.

Opioid abatement funds originate from lawsuits filed against pharmaceutical companies, distributors, and retailers across the nation for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic. The purpose of these settlements is to help repair harm in communities devastated by the crisis.

“All three [grant recipients] will be working to track opioid settlement spending in their communities, holding public officials accountable for the decisions they’re making to use these critical funds,” Molenda said.

Dix said she looks forward to diving deeper into understanding how the funds are being used locally.

“It is so important that the monies being given to state and local communities are used in a way that helps reduce the harm caused by the generational effects that stem from opioid addiction,” Dix said. “It is unfortunate that so many families and individuals have suffered from the carelessness of pharmaceutical companies when they promoted opioid use for their own profits.”

While addiction spans beyond opioids, the overprescribing of these medications has had particularly devastating effects on communities.

In Kentucky, opioid abatement funds are divided evenly–50% to the state level and 50% to local governments across the Commonwealth.

“I feel confident that our communities are navigating this new territory with these funds in ways that align with the established guidelines and state laws,” Dix said. “To ensure our public officials are doing just that I believe detailed reporting on this topic will provide both transparency and strengthen public trust in Barren County. Most importantly, it will show whether these funds are being used to truly help those who are battling opioid addiction.”

The Barren County Progress is one of eight Jobe Publishing newspapers in southcentral Kentucky. Her reporting on this topic will be published at a later date.

Allyson Dix, The Barren County Progress, Kentucky

Allyson began her journalism career in 2018 as a freelance reporter, driven by a passion for community storytelling and accountability reporting. Her dedication and eye for impactful stories eventually led her to her current role as managing editor of the Barren County Progress, where she oversees editorial content and continues to report on key local issues.

Over the past two years, Allyson has earned multiple awards from the Kentucky Press Association (KPA), including a second-place honor for investigative reporting. That story traced the roots of a local county government’s non-compliance with FEMA regulations — an in-depth piece that highlighted her ability to connect complex details and deep dive into the complexities of intergovernmental accountability.

Although her academic background isn’t rooted in journalism, Allyson holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Counseling, which has contributed to her strong research and communication skills. Her work reflects a deep belief in the role of local journalism to inform the public, expose wrongdoing, and strengthen the communities it serves