PLAN TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE OUTLINED

Fletcher Open To Using Cigarette Tax Money

FRANKFORT - Gov. Ernie Fletcher said yesterday he is "open to looking
at" using part of an increase in the state's cigarette tax to fight
Kentucky's drug abuse problems.

His comment came as he broadly outlined his plans for combating
illegal drug use in the state and named Sylvia Lovely, head of the
Kentucky League of Cities, to lead a new office to coordinate all
state substance abuse policies.

As two families who have lost sons to drug abuse looked on at a
crowded news conference at the Frankfort Regional Medical Center,
Fletcher said his plan will focus on enforcement, prevention and
education, and treatment.

It is based on recommendations from a 51-member special panel
co-chaired by Lt. Gov. Steve Pence that held 16 public meetings across
the state this year.

Fletcher said he would use existing funds -- about $1.5 million in the
first year -- to start the Office of Drug Control Policy.

Lovely, who will remain as executive director of the Lexington-based
League of Cities and president of the NewCities Foundation, said she
will head the office for about three months and receive no state salary.

The League will receive a state grant of up to $13,000 a month to
partially defray the cost of her League salary, she said.

Lovely said she will help obtain funding for programs and assist with
hiring a permanent executive director.

Fletcher said he expects to have a recommendation on using cigarette
taxes to finance drug control efforts ready for state legislators in
January.

The report from the Statewide Drug Control Assessment Summit panel
that Pence chaired recommended raising the current 3-cents-a-pack tax
by 3 to 9 cents to get $20 million to $60 million for fighting drug
abuse.

This year, Fletcher proposed a 26-cents-a-pack increase as part of a
budget-and-tax package, but the legislature adjourned without acting.
Fletcher's proposal didn't earmark any amounts for specific uses.

Fletcher said Kentucky's drug problem has reached epidemic proportions.

He noted that about 22 percent of the state's felons are incarcerated
for drug crimes, and 60 percent of inmates are substance abusers. He
said only about one in five of those abusers gets intensive state
treatment now.

Fletcher said one goal of the new drug office would be to increase the
number of drug courts and treatment facilities.

Of Kentucky's 120 counties, only 59 have drug courts. They provide an
alternative to traditional court processing of non-violent drug
offenders. Drug courts have saved saved the state an estimated $14
million since 1996.

The office would also work toward shortening waiting periods for
admittance to treatment programs and increasing funding for those
services, including prison programs.

The Rev. Donnie Coots, pastor of Church of God in Viper, said he was
encouraged by Fletcher's comments. "More treatment is the key," said
Coots, whose son, Joshua, died two years ago at the age of 22 after a
history of drug abuse.

Jim and Charlotte Wethington of Kenton County, whose son, Casey, died
in 2002 of a heroin overdose, said they also want to see more state
help for abusers.

"Thirty days of treatment doesn't cut it," the father said. "I just
hope Fletcher is sincere when he says he wants more treatment programs."

The full report of the drug panel can be found at www.kydrugsummit.ky.gov.