Pubdate: Wed, 17 Mar 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: Bill Estep Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) DRUG TASK FORCE STOPS IN HAZARD Panel Hears Call For More Treatment HAZARD - Adults and juveniles with substance-abuse problems in Eastern Kentucky need more treatment options closer to home, residents told state officials yesterday. A tide of prescription-drug abuse that has driven up crime and caused numerous deaths dwarfs the treatment available. People are reluctant - -- or can't afford -- to travel far from home to get help, residents said, so the state must put money into making treatment more accessible. "With no treatment there is no hope," said Sharon Hendrickson, of Jackson. "With no money, there's no treatment." The meeting in Hazard was the sixth of 16 scheduled around Kentucky to gather comments as part of an effort led by Lt. Gov. Stephen B. Pence to draft a comprehensive plan for attacking the state's drug problem. The 51-member panel studying the problem brings together local, state and federal officials with expertise in substance-abuse prevention and education, law enforcement and treatment. The panel is scheduled to give Gov. Ernie Fletcher recommendations in late June. People have made a wide range of suggestions for dealing with the state's drug problem. Yesterday, for instance, suggestions included setting up a program to drug-test recipients of federal disability payments, in order to reduce the problem of people selling prescription drugs that taxpayers have provided; making sure faith-based groups get money to help provide treatment; and educating parents to recognize signs of drug use by their children. People complained that courts are slow to process drug cases in some areas; that they believe politics and affluence influences local drug enforcement; and that lack of jobs worsens the problem. The need for better access to drug treatment has been a consistent theme of meetings held so far in the northern, northeastern and eastern sections of the state, said Karyn B. Hascal, acting director of the state Division of Substance Abuse. Officials said once the plan is done, the administration could look at switching money into treatment from other programs. Pence has said it makes sense to provide treatment for non-violent offenders with addiction problems instead of jailing them, which could free up money for treatment programs. On the Web To offer suggestions on a statewide drug-control plan or to get additional information, log on to www.kydrugsummit.ky.gov. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin