As much as we hate to admit it, there's a drug problem in our community. It might not be as horrendous an issue as some other communities deal with, but any problem at all is bad.

A neighboring school district is considering a drug and alcohol testing policy for students in extracurricular and co-curricular activities. At least one school administrator said he feels a testing policy would actually help students say no to the temptations of drugs and alcohol.

[continues 545 words]

It starts out simply enough. A car wreck or injury ... a prescription for pain or nerve medication. Then it might be multiple visits to different doctors, a few more prescriptions ... and before long it turns into desperation.

The desperation of an addict.

And addicts don't live just in metropolitan cities anymore. In fact, as many as 70 women in Taylor, Green and Adair counties are currently in treatment for some form of substance abuse.

Missy Herron, director of the Adanta Women's Recovery Center, said addiction to prescription drugs is not an uncommon story at all.

[continues 1033 words]

The former owner of The Body Shop fitness center has pleaded guilty to being part of an illegal drug ring and Campbellsville University has disciplined two students for using steroids.

A February indictment accused 35-year-old Ricky D. Burton of criminal syndication, and distributing steroids and Ecstasy.

According to court records, nine Campbellsville University football players were eyewitnesses to the drug trade.

Ecstasy, often called the "date-rape drug," is a designer drug from the methamphetamine family with its roots in Russia.

[continues 729 words]