Pubdate: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 Source: Messenger-Inquirer (KY) Website: http://www.messenger-inquirer.com Address: P.O. Box 1480, Owensboro, KY 42302 Contact: 2001 Messenger-Inquirer Fax: (270) 686-7868 Author: Lydia Carrico DAVIESS COUNTY SET TO JOIN KY-ASAP A local group committed to fighting drug abuse will submit a letter of intent to Frankfort by Monday for Daviess County to sign on to the Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy, a state-mandated policy that gives communities muscle to assess current prevention services, identify gaps and make recommendations. "I've talked to a lot of people, and there are a lot who want to work with this community," said Roger Stacy, president of Community Solutions for Substance Abuse, formerly Champions for a Drug Free Owensboro/Daviess County. Stacy met with representatives from the school systems, prevention agencies, local government and social service agencies Wednesday at the Green River Area Development District to gain input on how KY-ASAP will benefit the community. While joining the state policy is needed to ensure coordination of resources, Stacy told the group he wants to continue his group's plans to meet immediate needs, such as raising awareness of the drug problems in the area and establishing treatment for youths who abuse drugs. "We need to move now," he said. KY-ASAP, created during the 2000 General Assembly, provides a blueprint for state policy that governs prevention and treatment of substance abuse. The legislature set aside an initial $5 million to start the program and required all 120 counties to be on board by December 2003. Ohio and McLean counties recently formed a board, and Henderson, Union and Webster are planning to submit letters of intent soon. Representatives from Daviess County met this summer with Ohio and McLean county officials to discuss joining that coalition. But the other counties were concerned about having enough of a voice if the larger Daviess County were attached to them. Counties that form singular Ky-ASAP boards will receive $50,000 in start-up money from the state, but two counties joining forces would receive $110,000. Three counties would receive $175,000. Daviess County officials have been talking to representatives of Hancock County about that county joining its coalition. But with the deadline looming, that doesn't look likely right now, said Gary Hall, senior director for the RiverValley Prevention Center. Discussions will continue, he said, and the county may still join the Daviess County board at a later date. It may be beneficial for each county to have its own board, Hall said. Singular boards will allow communities to focus specifically on their own needs. But both Hall and Bill Cooper, associate director for social services at GRADD, acknowledged the need for counties to work together as well. "So many issues cross county borders," Cooper said. "I just firmly believe there has to be some coordination between those county lines." Why is having a comprehensive prevention strategy important? According to Ky-ASAP: - -- Substance abuse costs the state $3.9 billion annually. - -- Tobacco accounts for 39 percent of preventable deaths. - -- Alcohol accounts for 95 percent of all deaths from cirrhosis of the liver. - -- On average, half of adolescents in state institutions admit to being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while committing crimes. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth