INITIATIVE BEGUN BY PROSECUTOR

BIG SANDY REGION - In conjunction with court officials and local, state and
federal authorities, Commonwealth Attorney Anna Melvin is spearheading an
initiative to aggressively prosecute not only defendants charged with
drug-related offenses, but also the drug suppliers - including "pill doctors."

The initiative, The Promise Project, also includes a strong stance against
gun violence but most of the provided information on the combined effort
addresses the region's growing problem with illegal drug use in Johnson,
Martin and Lawrence counties. The program is an attempt to offer all
residents "the promise of better times and a higher quality living in our
community by stamping out illegal drug use..."

"Enough is enough," Melvin says in a release, announcing the initiative.
"Illegal drugs, the misuse of legal drugs and gun violence are destroying
the fabric of our communities. Overdoses, murders and lives ruined through
addiction and dependency destroy families, homes and neighborhoods."

The release notes that official records, which document the area's crime
rates, indicate an increase in gun violence and drug crimes.

"A stand must be made, a line must be drawn, the citizens of our counties
not only demand protection, but are entitled to protection from the damage
caused by drug and gun crime," the release continues.

Sheriffs' departments, city police forces, the Kentucky State Police, FBI,
DEA, ATF, the Kentucky Attorney General's office, U.S. Attorney's office
and local county attorneys are also taking active roles in the initiative
by taking the following steps:

* All cases involving methamphetamine will be targeted and investigated
completely and fully to reveal the sources of the ingredients and discovery
of the consumers of the final product;

* All OxyContin cases will be fully investigated to reveal the source of
the drug, targeting not only illegal dealers, but also "pill doctors;" .

* All DUI cases will be targeted to determine the source or the supplier of
drugs or alcohol to defendants; .

* All felony drug cases will be prosecuted in circuit court unless an
agreement is reached between the county attorney's office and Commonwealth
attorney's office after consultation with the officers involved - allowing
"vertical prosecution" of all cases to insure maximum penalties for drug
crimes;

* Overdoses will be investigated to reveal the source and supplier of the
drugs.

Once a dealer or supplier is identified, criminal liability-including
charges from trafficking to homicide - will be presented to the grand jury
for its consideration of issuing felony indictments. "Not one family in
Johnson, Martin or Lawrence counties has escaped the damage, either
directly or indirectly, that drugs or gun violence has caused," Melvin
said. "We must stand together to stop this plague on our communities. We
seek, and encourage, the citizens...to stand with us and provide your local
law enforcement agencies with information and assistance to bring those
responsible to justice."