ENDING DRUG ABUSE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY MUST BE GROUP EFFORT

The Herald-Leader's Jan. 19 editorial on the prescription painkiller
problem in Eastern Kentucky calls for institutions involved in health care
and law enforcement to "make a strong, concerted effort to help Eastern
Kentucky kick its habit."

Appalachian Regional Healthcare, a not-for-profit system serving Eastern
Kentucky and southern West Virginia, has initiated widespread dialogue and
action toward solving the drug issue for the past year. Our system took
steps to assure that problems associated with prescription painkillers
remain a priority in our organization and in the communities we serve:

All ARH hospitals and clinics maintain a strict policy on dispensing only
the correct amount of pain medication and other prescription drugs and
maintaining strict control over drug inventories.

ARH trustees have made substance abuse rehabilitation in the region a board
priority. Last summer, ARH convened a meeting in Hazard of legislators,
judge-executives, district judges, hospital representatives and the
lieutenant governor. Opportunities to collaborate in preventing and solving
drug-related problems were identified. All parties pledged to cooperate by
sharing information and resources.

For more than a year, Eastern Kentucky's not-for-profit hospitals have met
to discuss ways to respond to this drug crisis. Our actions must also
include the participation of the entire Eastern Kentucky community
including government, law enforcement, courts, schools, business and church
groups. Solutions must include prevention; detoxification; acute, long-term
and partial care; and stronger employment and educational opportunities.

Continued dialogue and collective, definitive action by all stakeholders
can yield the solutions necessary for Eastern Kentucky to see a marked
decrease in this problem.

Stephen C. Hanson President and CEO

Appalachian Regional Healthcare

Lexington