DRUG WAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN TURF BATTLE

Apparently, some representatives who oversee substance abuse programs in
this region believe that problems with drugs and alcohol stop at county lines.

At least that's the impression they gave last week when groups from
Daviess, McLean and Ohio counties came together in Hartford to discuss
forming a state-mandated board that would be charged with reporting to the
governor which programs are working and which need revamping.

What should have been an opportunity to form a strong bond committed to
improving the quality of life in all three counties turned into a petty
battle where guarding one's turf -- and prevention record -- was more
important than saving people's lives.

"This is the best opportunity that substance abuse (policy) has had," said
David Mawn, deputy executive director for Kentucky Agency for Substance
Abuse Policy, Champions for a Drug-Free Kentucky.

Mawn was talking about KY-ASAP, Kentucky's new policy governing prevention
and treatment of substance abuse across the state. All 120 counties are
required to participate by the end of 2003, and $5 million has been set
aside to start the program.

Daviess, McLean and Ohio counties have the opportunity to get in on the
first round of this funding, and if a board is formed, the counties would
receive $100,000 to help develop prevention strategies. Ohio County
presented an application to the state that outlined a partnership with
Daviess and McLean counties.

But some representatives from Ohio County asked if the county could develop
its own board without the other two counties, which would push Daviess and
McLean counties into the second round of applications in October.

Their concern is that other counties, which have fewer prevention programs,
could spot their record.

Meanwhile, representatives from areas with fewer programs want guarantees
of equal representation on the 20-member board.

What do these issues have to do with reducing the problems with substance
abuse throughout this region? Turf battles suggest that building a wall
around the county and only fixing problems inside will wipe away all issues
with drugs and alcohol.

Substance abuse professionals who share this philosophy are naive at best,
incompetent at worst. Drug problems do not stop at a county's borders and
neither should prevention efforts.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kent Wicker said last month that the war on
methamphetamine is making the least progress in the area of prevention. In
fact, prevention efforts are failing, he said. And no one can argue that
meth is not a problem in all three of these counties.

We don't blame some of the county representatives for worrying if existing
programs would now be considered unsuccessful based on the performance of
programs in other counties. But we do question their definition of success.
Is it achieving recognition through impressive statistics, or is it making
this region a better place to live, making a difference in people's lives?

As work continues on the development of this board, the answer to this
question will become clear.