Pubdate: Tue, 25 Nov 2003
Source: Courier-Journal, The (KY)
Copyright: 2003 The Courier-Journal
Contact:  http://www.courier-journal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/97
Author: ROGER ALFORD, Associated Press

E. KENTUCKY EFFORT TO FIGHT DRUGS PRAISED BY OFFICIAL

LONDON, Ky. - The nation's drug czar said yesterday that an anti-drug 
initiative in Eastern Kentucky could serve as a model for the rest of the 
nation.

John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control 
Policy, made stops in London and Hazard to kick off an anti-drug initiative 
called Operation UNITE. The program will create regional drug task forces 
to arrest black market dealers, beef up drug treatment programs and help 
expand drug education programs.

"This is what we need more of," Walters said. "This is leadership working, 
this is people working on what is obviously a deadly problem."

An $8million appropriation in this year's federal budget will cover the 
cost of the initiative.

"For far too long our schools, communities and people have been held 
hostage by the devastating effects of substance abuse," said U.S. Rep. 
Harold "Hal" Rogers, R-5th District, who accompanied Walters.

Eastern Kentucky is ravaged by addiction to prescription drugs like 
OxyContin and illegal drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine.

Walters said he is not aware of another initiative like Operation UNITE 
anywhere else in the nation.

In remarks during a news conference in London, Rogers called the illegal 
drug trade a scourge in the mountain region.

"Whether it be illegal prescriptions, cocaine or methamphetamines, these 
drugs are killing our people," Rogers said.

The judicial system, he said, is overloaded with drug cases, and treatment 
centers are overwhelmed with people trying to beat their addictions.

Rogers said the prescription drug problem in Eastern Kentucky is pervasive, 
and he pointed to the assassination of Pulaski County Sheriff Sam Catron, 
who was gunned down during a campaign event last year.

Three men, including a former deputy who was running against Catron for 
sheriff and a self-described drug dealer, either pleaded guilty or were 
convicted by a jury of roles in the murder.

Operation UNITE will help pay for 33 additional detectives in the region to 
investigate street-level drug deals. Rogers said $1million has been 
available for drug buys in undercover investigations.

In addition, federal funds will be used to pay six additional assistant 
commonwealth's attorneys to help prosecute drug cases. U.S. Attorney 
Gregory Van Tatenhove said those state prosecutors will work with federal 
prosecutors in the region.

Kentucky Chief Justice Joseph Lambert, who appeared with Walters in London, 
said Operation UNITE also will provide $1.2million to pay for drug courts 
in the region.

Rogers said the overall initiative should begin to curb the drug problem. 
"There are lives at stake here," Rogers said.
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