DRUG-FREE GROUP CHANGES NAME, LOOKS TO COMMUNITY

A local grass-roots organization committed to fighting the war on drugs has
changed its name and is looking for more community support as it develops a
strategic plan.

Champions for a Drug Free Owensboro-Daviess County changed its name in a
meeting last week to Community Solutions for Substance Abuse.

Members said the new name would help the group better relate to citizens in
the community.

The Champions group originated with University of Kentucky and University
of Louisville athletes traveling across the state to speak out against drug
use.

The local group's focus has since changed and has caused some confusion
among people in the community, said Community Solutions board president
Roger Stacy.

"We're citizens in the community and there's more of an understanding to
say something if we're called something besides Champions," Stacy said.

He said the next step in battling substance abuse is through community
awareness and involvement.

"I feel strongly about the need for community involvement," Stacy said.
"Many authorities have focused on guarding the borders to keep drugs out of
the country and treatment programs but it has come with limited success,"
Stacy said.

"Community involvement is the next step in solving the problem," he said.
"Drug abuse not only affects the person with the disease -- and it is a
disease -- but also the people and family around them."

Debbie Haley, prevention specialist at RiverValley Behavioral Health, said
Community Solutions is currently collecting data to determine what drug or
alcohol problems are plaguing the Owensboro area.

The report will include statistics from a recent survey on alcohol usage.

Community Solutions will use the data in creating a strategic plan.

That plan will look at what policies, ordinances and education are needed
to prevent drug addiction.

"The community has to support their laws and ordinances," Haley said,
adding that without such support, the ordinances will not be effective.