Pubdate: Fri, 28 Mar 2003
Source: Messenger-Inquirer (KY)
Copyright: 2003 Messenger-Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.messenger-inquirer.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1285
Author: Associated Press

ATTORNEY GENERAL HOPEFULS TARGET DRUGS

LEXINGTON -- The drug war is one of the most pressing issues facing the 
next attorney general, five candidates agreed Thursday.

"The No. 1 issue in America domestically ... is the drug culture," Chris 
Gorman, one of the Democratic candidates, said at a forum.

Gorman, running to regain an office he held from 1992 to 1996, said he 
would create a "drug squad" in the attorney general's office to concentrate 
on drug cases.

He said it would be akin to the office's "death squad," a group of 
assistant attorneys general who specialize in capital punishment cases.

Democrat Greg Stumbo, who is House majority leader, proposed creating a 
Kentucky Bureau of Investigation to focus on drug crimes. Stumbo said he 
would offer to personally prosecute drug cases in court.

A Republican, attorney Philip C. Kimball of Louisville, said he would try 
to work with licensure boards to get rid of physicians and other health 
professionals who overprescribe narcotics.

A second Republican, state Rep. Tim Feeley of Crestwood, said drug users 
needed more treatment options. Feeley, a former federal prosecutor, also 
said he would work with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Kentucky's 
U.S. attorneys if elected.

A third Democrat, state Auditor Ed Hatchett, said he would convene a 
"summit on substance abuse" if elected.

The candidate forum was sponsored by the Kentucky League of Cities, 
Kentucky County Judge-Executive Association and Kentucky Council of Area 
Development Districts.

Absent was a third Republican candidate, Jack D. Wood of Valley Station.
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MAP posted-by: Alex