FORUM HOPES TO ENHANCE FLEMING WAR ON DRUGS

FLEMINGSBURG -- Learning about police methods and how the public can
help law enforcement is being encouraged through a public forum Oct.
20 at Simons Middle School in Flemingsburg.

According to the Crime in Kentucky 2009 report produced through
Kentucky State Police, Fleming County had more than 40 arrests for
non-narcotic dangerous drugs, in addition to 16 marijuana, four
cocaine and one synthetic narcotics arrests in 2009.

Arrests have been made through drug raids, tips from the public and
incidental discovery of drugs during traffic stops and accident
investigations, police said.

Drug-related arrests in Fleming County, so far this year, number more
than 75, police said.

Realizing there is a need to educate the public about current drug
activity in the community in order to combat it, Kentucky State Police
Trooper Bret Kirkland and Fleming County Sheriff Scotty Royse, along
with a representative of the drug task force, will be discussing
actions and agency roles in the drug war, and fielding questions,
officials said.

"It is extremely important for all citizens of Kentucky to become
actively involved in crime prevention. As governor, I urge you to
continue to support our law enforcement officials in their daily fight
against crime, " wrote Gov. Steve Beshear in a letter in the report.

Families, clergy and public officials have all been invited to attend
and bring any questions they have to the forum, officials said.

"It is important to get as many agencies who are involved in all
aspects of what happens to communities due to drug issues," said Gary
Adkins of the Commonwealth's Attorney Office. "Drugs impact the whole
community. The forum is a great way to learn about the impacts of
drugs. In our office, we see the effects every day; it is not just
those charged with crimes, but the families and victims of the crimes
who also suffer from the effects of drugs."

The littlest victims may be the children of people who have them
present when trafficking drugs, Adkins said.

"You hear the children in the background when some of the undercover
operations are recording transactions or see them in videos. It is sad
the children are exposed to drug activity," Adkins said.

Questions may be in written form or verbal, Royse said.

Other guest speakers include families who have seen first hand how
drugs have affected their lives and the community, said Royse.

"We really want the public to understand what police do and be
involved, so we can work together," he said.

Forum activities will be at SMS auditorium, beginning at 6 p.m.