The Boyle County Fiscal Court on Dec. 9 heard a detailed presentation from NET Recovery on a jaw‑worn (ear‑electrode) neuromodulation device the vendor says is FDA‑cleared to reduce withdrawal symptoms for people with polysubstance dependence.

Kelly Dicus of NET Recovery described the program’s results in Kentucky and urged the court to consider a diversion model that would pair in‑jail treatment with immediate release into community treatment. “We were FDA cleared,” Dicus said; the vendor representative added the group has treated roughly 470 people in Kentucky since clearance and runs the program in seven detention centers across the state.

Court members questioned logistics, eligibility and cost. A NET Recovery representative said treatment is generally three to five days (up to seven) and involves staff who apply and monitor the device twice daily. “It’s 3 to 5 days generally, and our NET techs meet with them twice a day,” the representative said. The presenter stated the per‑person cost is $5,500.

County leaders and the jailer discussed funding options. The presenter said NET Recovery is applying for a $250,000 grant and asked whether the court would consider using opioid settlement funds for a local match if the grant is only partially awarded. The county’s jailer described a proposed requirement that anyone who receives the device paid for with county dollars must enter a follow‑up treatment program, an attempt to link the device to longer‑term services.

No formal vote was taken. The court asked staff to track the grant application and return with options for a smaller pilot should the grant not arrive. The judge said the court would review the grant outcome and the county’s opioid‑settlement balance before committing taxpayer funds.

What happened next: The presenters said they will share follow‑up materials and data; court staff and the jail will coordinate potential eligibility criteria and budget language for future consideration.

Note on attribution: Quotes and program details come from NET Recovery representatives (Kelly Dicus and another NET Recovery speaker) and jail staff during the Dec. 9 Boyle County Fiscal Court meeting.