Pubdate: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) Copyright: 2004 Lexington Herald-Leader Contact: http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/240 Author: Greg Stumbo Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) KBI WILL BE KEY PLAYER IN STATE'S ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS I was disappointed that the Herald-Leader does not support my decision to establish a Kentucky Bureau of Investigation within the Office of the Attorney General. I am convinced that consolidating investigative personnel into a single unit will greatly promote the management of law enforcement operations and training, particularly in the fight against the illegal drug trade and public corruption. My office is charged with joint enforcement of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and has long been active in combating drug crime. The structure of the KBI is designed to enhance this duty, as well as to provide other critical services. As is set out in the KBI Action Plan, the specific drug enforcement functions are: . KASPER enforcement. KBI agents are trained to investigate prescription drug fraud and drug diversion. Changes made to KASPER (the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting system) ensure that all law enforcement agencies, including the Kentucky State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration, work in concert and avoid a duplication of efforts. Rather than leading to "an unnecessary turf battle in the state's war on illegal drugs," in the editorial's overwrought language, the bipartisan improvements designed by state Sen. Richard Roeding and me will ensure a coordinated system. . Methamphetamine Precursor Investigation Team. KBI and DEA agents are working together to achieve a long-overdue audit and examination of methamphetamine precursor distributors. This enforcement tool was proposed by Robert Otero, DEA drug diversion supervisor, and established in cooperation with my KBI commissioner, David James. At a time when all law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed by extremely hazardous illegal meth labs, this initiative will aid in cutting off the flow of raw materials to them. Far from encroaching on other programs, this team, unique in Kentucky, offers the best hope for reducing the number of illicit drug labs. Contrary to the Herald-Leader's assertions, the creation of the KBI does not dilute our efforts in existing areas of law enforcement, such as consumer protection. The KBI includes our longstanding Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Unit and, with a new emphasis on the prevention of elder abuse, will aggressively pursue cases of suspected abuse in residential care facilities. And my office's commitment to the elimination of public corruption is enhanced under the KBI with a doubling of the staff available to investigate suspected wrongdoing by public officials. Furthermore, the editorial falsely accuses my office of not acting as a "team player" in the war on drugs. It is unfortunate that the paper views action to decrease the drug epidemic as "grandstanding." We look forward to working with the new Office of Drug Control Policy on all aspects of the problem. The KBI's investigative and enforcement services will play a crucial role in the war on drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake