PLAGUE OF PILLS: DRUG USE RUINING LIFE IN E. KENTUCKY

You can run, but you can't hide. I guess that applies to me now. I
moved up here and took a promotion in my federal job back in early
1988. My dad is from Eastern Kentucky, but I was born and raised in
south Florida. The paradise of my childhood years was fast being
replaced by crowds, traffic jams, pushy Yankees, crime and drugs. I
longed for a safer, simpler life for myself and family.

For most of the ensuing years, we had just that. Unfortunately,
however, the crime and drug problem has finally come calling on
Appalachia.

A recent anti-drug rally in Hazard, attended by more than 400 people,
was not about the recreational use of pot in Perry County. The people
were distraught over the growing use of prescription drugs, cocaine
and crystal meth. Appalachia has a serious problem with the overuse
and over-prescribing of pain-killers, muscle relaxants and nerve
pills.

There is a pill for everything. Everything from toe jam to armpit
stench can be remedied just by taking a pill. It's a huge business on
both sides of the law.

What a fine example we set for our young people. Everyone has stress
or headaches; we are nervous; we can't sleep; our backs or legs or
necks hurt. Seems like most of the population is on some sort of dope.

I call it ``dope'' because, just like heroin, cocaine, alcohol and
meth, using such pills long term is addictive and harmful.

Nearly every Bubby on the draw gets some sort of pain pill. Sissy
gets her nerve pills so Bubby don't bother her too much sitting at
home. When the leech checks don't go far enough, Bubby and Sissy sell
half their pills to our young people, who crush them up and snort
them like cocaine.

To get money for more pills, folks turn to crime. It's the same with
cocaine and crystal meth. How many burglaries and robberies have we
had this year? More than I ever recall.

Ecstasy pills, called ``beans'' on the street, are now making their
way up from Florida. The $5 bean in Florida can be sold here for $20.
Pure cocaine that sells for $50 a gram in Florida can be cut and sold
for $100 here. There's big money to be made just by taking a weekend
trip to Appalachia.

I don't speak from ignorance. I worked in law enforcement in south
Florida and as a field investigator for the health department. I saw
what went on.

I won't be a hypocrite, either. I drank too much and did many drugs
when I was younger, so I have been on both sides of this issue.

What can be done? We need to tighten controls and cut down on the use
of so many narcotic, addictive substances. We don't need as many
pills as are prescribed. I have migraine headaches, a bad back and
sore legs. What do I take? BC Powders or Advil. Most folks would be
just fine doing the same. If I get stressed out or nervous, I pray or
take a nap. That usually works.

If you don't work, you don't need drugs. How does sitting around
cause stress or nervousness or aggravate a condition?

A concerted effort by parents, schools, churches and law enforcement
personnel is needed. ``Just Say No'' and ``DARE'' are not getting the
job done. We need to talk frankly and openly with our kids about the
danger of pills and the new drugs coming into our area. Being a pill
head is no more normal or acceptable way to live than being a chronic
drunk or heroin addict. Crack is deadly, and drugs like crystal meth
and ecstasy can be, too.

Law enforcement needs to be trained fully in what is going on and
what to expect. Have some experienced folks from other regions come
in and lay it out. Our officers are good, but they are new at a lot
of this stuff. We need to beef up and keep a task force going to
disseminate information to all departments and coordinate efforts
even more.

I'm too attached to this area to pick up and move again, but I don't
want to live in an area ruined by crime and drugs.