ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM CHIEF RESIGNS

Federal report criticized HIDTA effort

The head of a large anti-drug program in Appalachian Kentucky that was
criticized in a federal report has submitted his resignation.

Roy Sturgill, executive director of the Appalachia High-Intensity Drug
Trafficking Area, said yesterday he would leave the post effective June 30.
The executive board accepted his resignation yesterday.

Sturgill, 55, became head of the program in August 1998, after a 27-year
career with the Kentucky State Police.

During Sturgill's tenure, police agencies participating in the HIDTA
reported seizing millions of dollars worth of illegal drugs and hundreds of
weapons, arresting more than 6,000 people, and wiping out marijuana with an
estimated value of more than $5 billion.

But federal authorities also found the program had fallen short on a key
goal: bringing federal, state and local police together in a unified attack
on drug traffickers.

Concerns identified in a 2002 review by the Office of National Drug Control
Policy included that police agencies in the HIDTA had not cooperated or
shared information as they should and that local police had seen little
money from the program.

The Herald-Leader reported on the review in January in a series of stories
on drug problems in Eastern Kentucky. Leaders of the HIDTA program have made
a number of changes to address issues raised in the review.

Gregory F. Van Tatenhove, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky
and vice-chairman of the Appalachia HIDTA executive board, said the board
has reorganized to improve effectiveness, setting up strategic committees on
planning, administration and development and review of anti-drug
initiatives.

Several task forces have been created to meld federal, state and local
officers, and the board has set up committees in each of the three
Appalachia HIDTA states to coordinate activities and better reflect the
needs of each state.

"I think there's really good progress being made," Van Tatenhove said.

Sturgill said he felt good about his work at the HIDTA.

Van Tatenhove said it was Sturgill's decision to leave. The board expressed
appreciation for Sturgill's work, especially in recent months during
reorganization efforts, Van Tatenhove said.

The Appalachia HIDTA was designated in 1998 to cover 65 counties in
southeastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee and West Virginia because the
region is one of the top marijuana producers in the country.

The program has since added three counties and added trafficking in
prescription pills and other drugs to its focus. The Appalachia HIDTA has
its headquarters in London and has an annual budget of $6 million.

Sturgill said yesterday he had no immediate plans to seek another job.

Van Tatenhove said the board will carry out a broad search for a new
executive director, who he expects to have on board by the end of the year.