Woodford County court approves 4-person Net Recovery pilot using opioid settlement funds

The Woodford County Fiscal Court voted unanimously to approve a pilot program to provide the FDA‑approved Net Recovery device to four local residents as part of opioid-treatment services, the court said during a special committee-of-the-whole meeting in Versailles.

The pilot — proposed by Freeman Bailey, chair of the Woodford County ASAP (Addiction Services Advisory Program), and Kelly Carl, chair of the county’s opiate task force — would enroll four people at a cost of $5,500 per person, with the City of Versailles agreeing to pay 50 percent of the project cost. County officials said opioid settlement funds would be the source for the county’s share; the total pilot cost is $22,000 to $22,500 depending on final contract terms.

Proponents told the court the Net Recovery device delivers a brief electrical stimulus intended to reduce craving by modifying neural response. Freeman Bailey said the device has been used in about 10 Kentucky counties and that Scott County has applied it successfully in its jail. "We've spoken to the jailer and Michelle, our jailer, in reference to this too and she is on board with this program," Bailey said during the presentation.

A participant introduced by ASAP, Theodore Jennings Ingram II, described his experience in a recorded testimonial played for the court. Ingram said he had been dependent on methadone and other opioids for years and that, after the Net Recovery treatment, he was able to reduce methadone rapidly and return to normal activities. "Within 20 minutes of that device, man, I was rocking in the chair. On day 5, I was shooting basketball," Ingram said in the recording.

Court members and staff outlined eligibility and delivery details: participants must be in a window of clinical readiness (generally in detox or coming off opioid replacement therapy) and screened by medical staff; the Isaiah House has been approved to deliver the program for the county’s residents, and treatments can be provided in the detention center if clinically appropriate. The court also said local providers will collect day‑to‑day data on each participant to measure outcomes locally.

Squire Carl moved to approve the pilot in partnership with the City of Versailles "upon the approval of the contract for Net Recovery, with the advice of counsel." Squire Gill seconded the motion. The county judge called the vote and said the motion carried unanimously.

County Attorney clarified a recent news report and confirmed the program will be funded and administered by Woodford County and the City of Versailles; Midway does not operate a separate opioid program and is included under the county umbrella.

Officials said a Net Recovery representative, identified by court members as Jeff, is scheduled to appear before the court in April to answer technical and operational questions. The contract must be reviewed by county counsel before program start; if the local pilot shows positive results, court members said they would consider expanding the effort.

Supporters framed the pilot as another tool in a set of treatment options. "We gotta have multiple tools in the toolbox to try to fight the opioid crisis," one presenter said. The court did not set an exact start date; next steps are contract approval and participant selection by clinical staff.