KEEP FUNDING FOR FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE

Thanks to the Herald-Leader's recent attention to the monumental drug abuse
problem in Eastern Kentucky. Additionally, I want to express appreciation to
legislators who are recognizing the extent of this public health issue and
proposing initiatives to address it. Lawmakers such as U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers
and state Reps. Greg Stumbo and Steve Nunn are to be commended.

Moreover, I implore these and other legislators to carefully consider what
is already in place and to join in the efforts already under way. While I
can only speak for Magoffin County efforts, many other Kentucky communities
and areas have comparable experiences.

Fourteen months ago, Magoffin County embarked on a comprehensive
needs-assessment process under the direction of the Kentucky Agency for
Substance Abuse Policy. The agency, established by law specifically for this
purpose, has been exemplary in the leadership it has provided local
communities in researching their needs and resources and following through
with planning.

For six months, a partnership of local entities in Magoffin County met,
researched data, formed a local board and prepared a strategic plan for
addressing the alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse issues in our county.

Six months ago, we began implementation of the plan. Magoffin is working
tirelessly to build an infrastructure of prevention, identification,
prosecution and treatment. Agencies have come together, identified gaps in
efforts, and innovated strategies to address the gaps.

Our plan includes some limited funding for strategies to address the gaps,
and service providers/community entities have been exceptional in their
proposals to combat the problem.

But the incongruity is that while we now know what our needs are and what we
must do to address our problems, our funding is limited, and success is
contingent upon funding. We need the impetus of our legislators to keep the
work going.

The Herald-Leader's Feb. 19 editorial concluded with encouragement to "those
public officials who are interested in this issue to work together to assure
that their efforts and their ideas mesh into a fully coordinated,
comprehensive attempt to help Eastern Kentucky kick its 'Prescription for
Pain' habit."

We in Magoffin County have begun this fully coordinated, comprehensive
attempt to address the issue. Let's not "reinvent the wheel." Let's not
begin again. The Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy and our local
board have been outstanding in establishing the groundwork and beginning the
process to recover from this public health "illness."

I plead with the legislators to continue with and expand on what is already
in place so that we can proceed in this fight against something that is
taking away our future.