STUMBO DEFENDS INVESTIGATIVE UNIT

I was disappointed to read that The Courier-Journal was not supportive of
my decision to establish a Kentucky Bureau of Investigation (KBI) within
the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). The consolidation of
investigative personnel into a single unit is something that I am convinced
will greatly promote the management of law enforcement operations and
training, particularly in the fight against the illegal drug trade and
public corruption.

Contrary to your assertions, the KBI does not "usurp police functions," or
step outside the legal duties of the Office of the Attorney General.
Indeed, my office is charged with joint enforcement of the Uniform
Controlled Substances Act, and has long been active in combating drug
crime. The structure of the KBI is designed to enhance this statutorily
mandated duty, as well as to provide other critical services for the
public. As is set out in the KBI Action Plan, the specific drug enforcement
functions of the KBI are as follows:

1. KASPER Enforcement - KBI agents are trained to investigate prescription
drug fraud and drug diversion. Changes made to the Kentucky All Schedule
Prescription Electronic Reporting (KASPER) system ensure that all law
enforcement agencies, including the Kentucky State Police (KSP) and the
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), work in concert and avoid a
duplication of efforts. Rather than leading to "warring police forces," in
the overwrought language of The Courier-Journal, the bipartisan
improvements designed by Sen. Richard Roeding and myself will ensure a
coordinated system of drug law enforcement.

2. Methamphetamine Precursor Investigation Team - KBI agents work with DEA
personnel to achieve a long overdue audit and examination of
methamphetamine precursor distributors. This vital enforcement tool was
proposed by Robert Otero, DEA Drug Diversion Supervisor, and established in
cooperation with my KBI commisssioner, David James. At a time when all law
enforcement agencies are overwhelmed by extremely hazardous illegal meth
labs, this initiative will aid in cutting off the flow of raw materials to
clandestine labs. Far from encroaching on other programs, the
Methamphetamine Precursor Investigation Team is unique in Kentucky, and
offers the best hope for reducing the number of illicit drug labs
encountered by other law enforcement agencies.

The KBI also includes our longstanding Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control
Unit, which has recovered nearly $10 million in state and federal funds for
Medicaid this year alone. A new emphasis on the prevention of elder abuse
is also part of the KBI, and cases of suspected abuse in residential care
facilities will be aggressively pursued. Additionally, my office's
commitment to the elimination of public corruption is enhanced under the
KBI with a doubling of the staffing available to investigate suspected
wrongdoing by public officials.

The Courier-Journal also failed to report that the entire KBI Action Plan
has been put into operation without expending any additional General Fund
dollars, and wrongly suggested that it took money available to other
entities. The KBI represents the best use of existing resources of the OAG
to serve the expressed needs of the public, and our partners in law
enforcement across the commonwealth.

Furthermore, your editorial falsely accuses my office of "attempting to
prevent the Fletcher/Pence administration from being able to take sole
credit for cracking down on the state's devastating drug epidemic." It's
unfortunate that you view any action towards decreasing the drug epidemic
as competition. At the request of Pence, I delayed the creation of the KBI
until after his Statewide Drug Control Assessment Summit, in which I
participated as co-chair of the enforcement panel. We look forward to
working collaboratively with the new Office of Drug Control Policy on all
aspects of the problem, which includes a focus on education, treatment and
enforcement.

As the KBI carries out its well-defined action plan, I will keep The
Courier-Journal informed of its accomplishments. Through its investigative
and enforcement services, the KBI will serve a crucial role in the war on
drugs.

GREG STUMBO

Attorney General

Commonwealth of Kentucky

Frankfort, Ky. 40601