ATTORNEY GENERAL HOPEFULS CONVENE

The drug war is one of the most pressing issues facing the next attorney
general, five candidates agreed yesterday.

"The No. 1 issue in America domestically ... is the drug culture," Chris
Gorman, a Democratic candidate, said at a forum in Lexington.

Gorman said he would create a "drug squad" akin to the "death squad," a
group of assistant attorneys general who specialize in capital punishment
cases.

Democrat Greg Stumbo, the House majority leader, proposed a Kentucky Bureau
of Investigation to focus on drug crimes. He offered to personally
prosecute drug cases.

A Republican, attorney Philip C. Kimball of Louisville, said he would try
to work with licensure boards to get rid of physicians and other health
professionals who overprescribe narcotics. Kimball said he also supported
the state's special "drug courts."

A second Republican, state Rep. Tim Feeley of Crestwood, said drug users
need more treatment options.

A third Democrat, state Auditor Ed Hatchett, said he would convene a
"summit on substance abuse" if elected.

The candidate forum was sponsored by the Kentucky League of Cities,
Kentucky County Judge-Executive Association and Kentucky Council of Area
Development Districts.

Absent was a third Republican candidate, Jack D. Wood of Valley Station.