GREENUP COUNTY, Ky. (WCHS) — Fentanyl is the leading cause of opioid overdose deaths in Kentucky, Attorney General Daniel Cameron said.

Cameron is on a mission to stem the tide of fentanyl coming into the Bluegrass State, conducting a series of public forums on the deadly drug.

Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid. According to state records, 2,250 Kentuckians overdosed in 2021 and more than 70% of those cases involved fentanyl.

Wednesday afternoon, the fifth in a series of forums was held in Greenup County. Those in attendance have been affected by fentanyl or are on the front lines of fighting against the drug.

Cameron said the purpose of the forums is to bring those on the front lines together and to hear from those affected by fentanyl and discuss possible solutions.

“People are not communicating with each other, and I think we are seeing a breakdown of those silos,” Cameron explained. “Folks from different practice areas or different stakeholders have expertise in law enforcement community have been able to come to these forums and have conversations with each other.”

Eyewitness News spoke with Cody Williams who is in a long-term recovery program after his experience with fentanyl. Williams said the drug serves as an escape from reality which is perhaps why it has become so popular.

"It is a dangerous substance," Williams warned. "It just makes it a little bit stronger and makes them want to go back to that substance."

Boyd County EMS workers have reported helping patients who have overdosed on fentanyl multiple times in the same day.

The next Operation Fight Fentanyl will take place in Martin County on April 13.