Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Wednesday that Van Ingram, the longtime executive director of the state’s Office of Drug Control Policy, will retire at the end of 2026. Tara Hyde, chief executive of People Advocating Recovery, will take over the role. Ingram joined the office in 2004 and became its executive director in 2008. Before that, he spent 23 years with the Maysville Police Department, including six years as police chief. Beshear said governors from both parties had continued to appoint Ingram because of his work on substance use and overdose prevention. Ingram credited people across state government, the Administrative Office of the Courts and the General Assembly with helping Kentucky address the crisis. During Ingram’s tenure, the state’s latest overdose report showed deaths fell nearly 23% in 2025 compared with 2024, extending a four-year downward trend. The figures mark progress, while addiction and access to treatment and recovery services remain major concerns for communities across Kentucky. Hyde has been in recovery since 2011 and has spent years advocating for people affected by addiction. She said her work has focused on connecting people with services and developing support where it is lacking. As executive director, Hyde said she intends to support Kentuckians seeking substance use treatment, recovery services and housing. She said the goal is to help people build meaningful lives during and after recovery.