NEW DRUG STRATEGY LAUNCHED

That substance abuse constitutes one of Kentucky's most grave concerns
is not in dispute. How to better address and solve the problem was the
subject matter of the the 51-member Statewide Drug Control Assessment
Summit's work during its five intensive months of work.

That collaborative assessment by state, federal and local officials in
drug prevention-education, treatment and law enforcement was necessary
because Kentucky needs more than law enforcement, more than treatment
and more than prevention-education to approach this problem. The
efforts in state government and local communities must be coordinated
for maximum impact.

Summit members heard that while some programs were working, there was
not enough accessible, affordable drug treatment available; that the
state needed more science-based prevention-education programs; that
law enforcement efforts should be better coordinated.

As executive director of the Kentucky League of Cities -- an
association consisting of 370 cities -- I was acutely aware of the
heartwrenching, community-destroying effects of substance abuse before
serving on the summit. I was humbled, however, by the gravity and
depth of the problem.

In every conversation with a mayor or county judge-executive, at every
turn in our efforts to create great communities that will nurture
great citizens, the issue of substance abuse rears it ugly head. As
one mayor described it, substance abuse is the terrorism from within
and a far greater threat than any from the outside.

When Gov. Ernie Fletcher formally endorsed the Summit's
recommendations recently, including one to create the Office of Drug
Control Policy, the team had already done much to give this new office
a starting point. The summit's work resulted in clear recommendations
and steps for implementing them. Now, the real work begins.

As Fletcher has said many times, we must be effective, not just tough
on Kentucky's drug problem.

The possibilities are wondrous. This problem is multifaceted, and to
approach it that way seems obvious. Only by creating a statewide
strategy will we be able to effectively provide Kentuckians the means
to release substance abuse's hold on our citizens.

My goal is to create this system, and my dream is to create a model to
help others in the nation who are struggling with this issue as well.

Of course, all of this will require resources.

It is obvious that a long-term funding plan must be developed. But
before that can be done, there must be that initial work, including
efforts to find efficiencies in a system that at best can be described
in some instances as being seriously overlapped and duplicative and
leaves some needs unmet.

Another funding effort that will take place immediately will be to
aggressively -- in a way never seen before -- seek out federal and
private grants. This approach must be strategic and will be
successful, as the stakes are very high.

Since the drug control office will be focusing on using only
outcome-based substance abuse programs, all of its resources will be
used to effectively impact the drug problem.

The immediate task in the short-term will be to bring coordination,
standards and structure in substance abuse efforts in
prevention-education, treatment and enforcement.

As we endeavor to improve Kentucky's response to substance abuse, I
know we are far from declaring victory -- but we are on the path.