DRUG PROBLEM AMONG TOPICS AT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

GRAYSON If he had served another term, Paul Patton says combatting today's
drug problem would've been his focus.

"It's the most important issue facing the state, and particularly eastern
Kentucky," the former governor said at Saturday's East Kentucky Leadership
Conference in Grayson.

And, he wasn't alone in that thinking.

Almost two dozen political and civic leaders from several eastern Kentucky
counties called it "overwhelming," even as they debated its root cause, and
solutions, during one conference session.

Both answers could lie within economic development issues, said Deborah
Murray of Morehead, regional program and development coordinator with UK's
extension service.

"I try to put myself in the place of someone whose aspirations are raised by
education," Murray said. "They come home (from college) and there's nothing
for them to do ... To me, that's the tragedy of what we're facing today."

While many blame the doctors, there's 10 billion pills a year coming here
through the Internet via Florida, and from metropolitan areas, said Dan
Smoot, law enforcement director with Unlawful Narcotic Treatment Education
(UNITE), a 29-county coalition that sponsored the discussion.

There's also a lack of funds to help the addicts, said Rep. Robin Webb,
D-Grayson, who's an attorney.

"Robin's right," Patton said. "While we have raised awareness of the
problem, Frankfort hasn't added funding."

Drug courts were created, and are being used, he added, but that's basically
redirecting money.

"A comprehensive approach is absolutely necessary."

UNITE includes every segment of a community in its work to "chip away at the
iceberg," one of its leaders said.

Start a Neighborhood Watch, respond to every drug dealer tip, involve
parents and churches, start new youth activities, support not only the
person with the drug addiction but also their families, rally behind the
halfway house folks -- all were among UNITE's approaches, and suggestions.

The drug problem even sparked comment Saturday in the "New Political
Landscape" session.

"Nothing is as eroding to the spirit of eastern Kentucky as this drug
issue," said Dr. Grady Stumbo, East Kentucky Leadership Foundation chairman.

Both political parties in Kentucky and the new administration are working
together on this, Stumbo said.

There are ways for everyone to cooperate, from Frankfort to eastern
Kentucky, he said.

"If this is where we have to start ..."

Both the city and county put police officers on an area drug task force,
said Grayson Mayor Leda Dean.

What's needed is help -- for parents to detect changes in their children,
for communities to become examples to those young people, Dean said.

"Anything we can do with education about drugs, we'll be better off," she
said.

Other issues for eastern Kentucky leaders that topped Saturday's discussion
list included differences in the workplace, the future of Head Start, the
continuing War on Poverty and even whether or not communities allow alcohol
sales.

It's not a debate of right or wrong, but does it help economically,
Prestonsburg Tourism Director Fred James told a large panel of listeners.

The area voted "wet" in the 1980s, then saw 1990's $12 million tourism
industry grow to $40 million in 2002, James said.

Yet, it went from six package liquor stores in the beginning to two
Rite-Aids and one liquor store now, because alcohol's more of a restaurant
item, he said.

No matter what the topic of discussion, the leadership conference became a
place to learn, said Carter County Judge-Executive Charles Wallace.

You take away good ideas when people from many other communities get
together to share how they've dealt with issues, Wallace said.

Wallace referred to drug testing policies as one example he heard, after
attending a UNITE discussion.

With another official from counties away, the judge-executive also shared a
copy of Carter County's newly-amended solid waste management ordinance that
addresses junk cars and other nuisances.

"It's been good to hear what other people are thinking about on the same
issues," said Dr. Don Gibson, Grayson Area Chamber of Commerce president.

"If you listen ... see it in a different light, that helps you make a
knowledgeable decision."