By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
Van Ingram, the long-time executive director of the Office of Drug Control Policy, will retire from his position at the end of the year, Gov. Andy Beshear has announced.
Ingram, who has served with the office since November 2004 and has been director since September 2009, has led addiction treatment, education and prevention efforts in the state for two decades.
The Governor noted that Ingram’s decades of service to the state have directly contributed to the four straight years of declines in overdose deaths in Kentucky and that Ingram’s work has helped save countless lives.
“Van has helped us fight addiction in every corner of our state, and we’ve made important progress in that fight thanks to him,” Beshear stated. “Kentucky is better because of his contributions, and I know that progress will continue for years to come because of the foundation he has laid.”
“Serving as executive director of the Office of Drug Control Policy has been an honor, and I know Kentucky’s recovery community will continue to move forward and continue to help Kentucky’s families,” Ingram said. “I’m proud of the work my team and I have done together, and I look forward to seeing the continued good they will do.”
The Governor announced that Tara Moseley Hyde has been named the office’s next executive director. Hyde, former CEO of People Advocating Recovery, began her new role at the beginning of October and will be learning from Ingram through the end of the year.
“Addiction is a disease that is hard to overcome, but here in Kentucky, thanks to the work of leaders like Gov. Beshear and Van, as well as stakeholders across the Commonwealth who provide support directly to Kentuckians, recovery is possible,” Hyde said. “I look forward to stepping into this role to support my fellow Kentuckians in the fight against addiction by supporting treatment service providers as well as law enforcement who are getting dangerous drugs off our streets.”