Attorney General Coleman Re-Appoints Opioid Abatement Commissioners

ClayCoNews May 27, 2025

FRANKFORT, KY (May 27, 2025) – Attorney General Russell Coleman announced today the re-appointment of three members of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (KYOAAC). The Commission was created by the Kentucky General Assembly to distribute the Commonwealth’s share of more than $900 million recovered in opioid settlements.

The Attorney General announced the following re-appointments:

Darren “Foot” Allen, of Mount Vernon. Foot was first appointed on February 14, 2024, to represent Kentucky’s law enforcement community. Allen was a Kentucky State Police Trooper, who retired as a Master Trooper in August 2018. He received commendations for Meritorious Service with a V Device, a Lifesaving Medal, seven Commissioner Commendations and the 2018 Appalachian HIDTA Narcotics Officer of the Year. Allen was a key player in KSP's marijuana eradication efforts for nearly a decade, leading investigations in 88 counties. He is currently the Manager of Court Security with the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Von Purdy, of Louisville. Purdy was first appointed on June 6, 2023. She is the Vice President for Advancement and Community Engagement at Simmons College, the only private Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Louisville, and currently chairs the Commission’s Prevention Subcommittee. A native of North Carolina, Purdy and her husband have lived in Louisville since 2012.

Deborah Rains, of Louisville. Rains was appointed September 17, 2024, to represent citizens-at-large. She is an award-winning educator, retiring after 38 years teaching. Rains and her husband Walt served on the Heroin Education Action Team in Lexington, better known as H.E.A.T, with the Offices of both U.S. Attorneys for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, including then- U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. Her involvement began due to her son, Zac, who at the age of 24, after a long 10-year battle with addiction, passed away from a fentanyl overdose in 2015.

These three members' appointments last two years and will expire on June 30, 2027.

“I am proud and grateful to be reappointed to the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission to work alongside the Office of Attorney General Coleman and the entire team,” said Von Purdy. “I am also hopeful that we will continue to make a positive difference to the individuals and their family’s suffering from the impact of opioid addiction. I am truly honored to serve.”

“Since I was not able to save my son, Zac, who lost his life to an opioid addiction, I understand the hopelessness that families feel while their loved ones are battling addiction,” said Deborah Rains. “Therefore, I feel that I can be a voice for these families. They are, and will always be, foremost in my thoughts each day that I serve on this Commission."

“After nearly three decades in law enforcement and counter drug operations, I have learned the importance of effective collaboration in tackling the opioid crisis throughout Kentucky,” said Darren Allen. “My continuing role on the Commission provides the perfect opportunity to advance prevention, treatment, as well as enforcement efforts, as we strive to improve the health and wellness of families across the Commonwealth. I am truly honored to serve.” 

“I’m grateful to serve alongside these dedicated leaders as we confront the worst man-made crisis in Kentucky’s history: the drug epidemic,” said Attorney General Coleman. “These are folks with a fire in their belly, and their continued service will keep up our momentum as we responsibly invest in prevention, treatment and recovery efforts that are saving lives and strengthening communities across the Commonwealth.”

Learn more about the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission on its new website: https://kyoaac.ky.gov/

In March, Attorney General Coleman announced the commission awarded 75 organizations across Kentucky $19.8 million in grants which will serve to improve treatment, prevention and enforcement efforts across Kentucky. Click here to watch the press conference announcing the new grants.

The Commission is comprised of nine voting and two non-voting members including stakeholders from the prevention and treatment community, law enforcement and victims of the drug crisis.

In addition to these re-appointments, the Commission’s membership includes:

Chris Evans, of Louisville, Commission Executive Director;

Dr. Patricia Freeman, of Lexington, appointed by the University of Kentucky from the HEALing Communities study team;

Eric Friedlander, of Louisville, Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services;

State Representative Chris Fugate, of Chavies, appointed by Speaker of the House David Osborne as a non-voting member;

Van Ingram, of Frankfort, appointed by the Attorney General to represent the drug treatment and prevention community;

Karen Kelly, of Somerset, Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Hal Rogers (KY-05), appointed by President of the Senate Robert Stivers as a non-voting member.