WAYS TO FIGHT DRUG PROBLEM DISCUSSED AT STANFORD LUNCHEON

STANFORD -- The local chapter of Champions for Prevention hosted a luncheon
for officials from the U.S. Department of Justice Wednesday to discuss ways
to fight the growing drug problem in the community.

Gregory Van Tatenhove, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky,
and Danny Smith, law enforcement community coordinator, heard from local
community leaders including the county judge-executive, county attorney and
mayor, as well as school and law enforcement officials about how drugs are
affecting the community and what resources are needed to fight the war on
drugs.

Karen Hatter, director of pupil personnel and assistant school
superintendent, presented the findings of a needs and resource assessment
showing the results of a survey of students taken earlier this year.

According to the assessment, students in Lincoln County are at a greater
risk for drug use than the average youth in the state because many are
exposed to the associated risk factors that include poverty, child abuse
neglect and domestic violence.

The student's responses demonstrate they don't perceive drug use to be
risky behavior and community norms fail to send a consistent message about
that risk.

The students also claim more of their friends use drugs and alcohol and
that it becomes easier to get them the older they get.

Other problem areas pointed out by the assessment include high drop-out
rates for students in Lincoln County and the fact that kids are getting
arrested and suspended at a younger age when compared to the state average.

Stanford Police Chief Keith Middleton addressed the group and talked about
ways that the community can work together to alleviate the drug problem.

"Our biggest problem is that parents need to be accountable for their
kids," said Middleton. "Until we stand up as a group and accept
responsibility, we can't change the things we're talking about."

Middleton had several suggestions for Van Tatenhove about how he could help
Lincoln County fight its war on drugs.

These include funding for a canine unit for this area and a tri-county drug
task force. Middleton pointed out that there is a lack of communication,
manpower, training and equipment to effectively combat the problems that
exist in a community with a large drug culture.

Middleton also suggested that a national registry be established for gun
owners that would require every weapon to be registered.

"Until they are registered and accounted for, they will never be
controlled," said Middleton.

Other suggestions from speakers included establishing a facility for a
substance abuse program; hiring a full-time drug investigator; changes in
legislation that make it easier for law enforcement officials to go after
suspected drug dealers; a federal agent living and working in the area and
cooperation between the community and law enforcement in reporting
suspected drug activity.

Van Tatenhove said he has been aware of Champions' work for a long time and
that meeting with groups such as this helps make him aware of what areas
his office needs to concentrate.

He applauded the efforts going on in the county already and said he would
take many of the suggestions offered back to his office.

"The best approach is this kind of community involvement," said Van
Tatenhove. "I don't have any illusions that I can solve the problems
through prosecution, it takes people like you."

This story ran in the Oct. 17 issue of The Advocate Messenger.