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. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex