FRANKFORT -- Crime was down in Kentucky in 2004. Or crime was up in Kentucky. It depends on perspective and the interpretation of the statistics provided in the annual report compiled by the Kentucky State Police. Kentucky State Police Capt. Lisa Rudzinski cautioned against drawing too many conclusions from the report, despite its volume and detail. "I don't think you can say anything about a crime trend based on one year," Rudzinski said. But there is a snapshot that can be viewed, and while parts of it may seem encouraging, the overall view is of a state still troubled by crime, especially drugs. [continues 445 words]
Similar Legislation Worked In 1 state FRANKFORT - Kentucky law enforcement officials hope new legislation requiring people to show picture IDs and sign their names when buying medication containing pseudoephedrine will become a useful instrument in their arsenal against methamphetamine. "Without controlling pseudoephedrine, it's going to be really hard to get our arms around the meth problem," said David James, head of the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation - an arm of the attorney general's office. "Now that we have some controls on the pseudoephedrine, it will help law enforcement across the state better protect the citizens." [continues 354 words]
Task Force Seeks To Quantify, Solve Problem FRANKFORT - State and federal mining officials are forming a task force to analyze the extent of on-the-job drug and alcohol use in mines -- and find a way to stop it. They're also teaming up for a campaign aimed at educating miners about the dangers of being impaired at work, officials said yesterday at a news conference. "Miners who are sober and straight are in the mines, and they're afraid," said LaJuana Wilcher, secretary of the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. [continues 272 words]
FRANKFORT -- Attorney General Greg Stumbo announced Thursday he was reorganizing his administration to create a new department called the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation. The KBI will, among other things, target distribution networks in the state's illegal drug trade, Stumbo said. It will consist of units that focus on drug investigations, public corruption and special investigations and Medicaid and welfare fraud. "Quite frankly, this office, in years past, didn't focus as much on drug investigation as they did some other things, and I'm not being critical .. ," Stumbo said. "But we're trying to turn our ship in a little bit different direction." [continues 372 words]
FRANKFORT -- Kentucky's substance abuse problems are at "epidemic" proportions, Gov. Ernie Fletcher said Thursday while announcing a new Office of Drug Control Policy, responsible for coordinating the state's drug-fighting efforts. Fletcher named Sylvia Lovely, the executive director of the Kentucky League of Cities, as the temporary head of the new anti-drug office. Among its responsibilities, the new office will be charged with implementing recommendations from the "Statewide Drug Control Assessment Summit 2004." Kentucky's new tactics against illegal drug use would combine efforts in education and prevention, drug treatment and law enforcement, Fletcher said. [continues 363 words]
FRANKFORT - A roadblock set up by Butler County sheriff's officers looking for drugs or other crime was unconstitutional because its search parameters were too general, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled yesterday. The 4-3 decision upheld a lower court ruling that evidence collected during the 1999 roadblock should be suppressed. The case involved David Buchanon, who was arrested on drug and alcohol charges. Buchanon pleaded guilty, then asked to have the evidence suppressed on grounds his Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure had been violated. [continues 220 words]
Lt. Governor-Elect Tapped To Oversee Justice Cabinet FRANKFORT, Ky. - As Kentucky's next lieutenant governor and Justice Cabinet secretary, Steve Pence said he plans to focus on fighting the state's drug problems. Gov.-elect Ernie Fletcher capitalized on Pence's experience as a federal prosecutor by naming the future lieutenant governor yesterday to serve in a dual role in his administration. During their campaign, Pence had promised to be a "working lieutenant governor" and take an active role in the administration. [continues 445 words]
FRANKFORT, Ky. - A state panel including lawmakers, doctors and law enforcement is looking at ways to improve Kentucky's electronic database of prescription drug sales. Among other goals, the panel is trying to streamline the system to monitor illegal prescription drug activity faster while maintaining federal requirements for patient privacy. "I think any time there's this large and widespread of a problem that it becomes a problem, obviously, of society," said Rep. Greg Stumbo, the House majority leader and committee co-chairman. "The only entity that can solve it is government." [continues 210 words]
