TREATMENT CENTERS WILL OFFER HELP INSTEAD OF PUNISHMENT FOR ADDICTS

Gov. Ernie Fletcher has unveiled a progressive, proactive plan that
offers treatment instead of punishment for those battling drug
addiction. This is the right approach that not only will help drug
addicts but could reduce the state's burgeoning prison population by
attacking the root cause of many crimes.

Fletcher Monday unveiled a $9.5 million initiative to help pay for the
construction and operation of 10 recovery centers across the state for
drug addicts, especially those who are homeless. The governor said he
expects two of the recovery centers, part of a program he calls
Recovery Kentucky, to be located in eastern Kentucky, where police are
combating "an epidemic" of prescription drug abuse.

Kentucky Housing Corp. will provide $2.5 million for construction and
operational expenses. The Governor's Office for Local Development will
put up $4 million in federal funds through the Community Development
Block Grant program, and the Department of Corrections will contribute
$3 million.

The proposed recovery centers are modeled after The HOPE Center in
Lexington and The Healing Place in Louisville, both of which provide
shelter and safe places for addicts to recover. Grants for operating
the centers will be awarded to communities and organizations on a
competitive basis, so no decisions have been made yet on where they
will located.

The governor said the recovery centers could save taxpayers millions
of dollars in emergency room visits and jail costs. Of the 6,000 state
prisoners currently in county jails, he said 60 to 70 percent were
convicted of a drug-related crime, yet local jails provide little or
no treatment for drug addiction. Instead, they house the addicts.

Soon after assuming office a year ago, Lt. Gov. Steve Pence - who
doubles as secretary of the Justice Cabinet - proposed putting greater
emphasis on helping inmates kick the drug habits that landed them
behind bars. We applauded that approach then, and we applaud the
governor's plans build drug treatment centers.

Typically, drug treatment programs have a high rate of failure, but in
modeling the program after The HOPE Center and The Healing Place, the
governor has chosen two programs that have a good success rate. The 10
centers will offer both hope and help for those who sincerely want to
overcome their addictions