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Magoffin drug trafficking arrests

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SALYERSVILLE – Three people face drug charges following an Operation UNITE investigation into prescription pills being brought into Magoffin County from Ohio.

Elliot Gipson, 32, and his wife, 39-year-old Erma Gipson, both of Lima, Ohio, were arrested by UNITE detectives on Monday, April 8, and charged with third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

The couple was out on bond for unrelated charges brought by the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Office several months ago, said Keith Napier, Big Sandy Task Force manager for UNITE.

Salyersville resident Melissa Wheeler, 33, was subsequently arrested by Magoffin County sheriff’s deputies and charged with third-degree conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance.

The arrests came following a month-long investigation into reports of Xanax being regularly brought into the county for illegal distribution, Napier said. “They were bringing 200 to 300 pills twice a month into the community.”

As a result of their investigation, UNITE detectives were able to set up a controlled purchase of pills on Monday in the parking lot of a local fast-food restaurant.

“We recovered a quantity of Xanax packaged for sale and approximately $4,800 in cash,” Napier said, noting they “were finishing up a three-day trafficking binge and preparing to head back to Ohio.

Shortly after the arrests, sheriff’s deputies were able to launch a secondary undercover operation that resulted in Wheeler being arrested when she showed up to purchase pills from the Gipsons.

All three were lodged in the Johnson County Detention Center.


Summit focused national attention on Rx drug abuse

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CHAMPIONSGATE, FL – A national outcry about the human cost of prescription drug abuse is needed if efforts to stop this national epidemic are to be successful, participants at the second National Rx Drug Abuse Summit were told.

“When are we going to take it seriously, because in the end these are friends and family members” who are paying for the cost of addiction, said Joseph Rannazzisi, deputy administrator for the DEA’s Office of Diversion Control, echoing comments from many of the keynote speakers.

Nearly 900 people from 49 states and two other countries participated in the Summit, held April 2-4, 2013, in Orlando, Florida.

“People of great passion and perspective are here wanting to make an impact in their communities,” said Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-5th), chair of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, whose efforts to address prescription drug abuse have been recognized nationally.

“The first step is we have to admit there is a problem,” said Rogers, co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse. “I don’t think the country is there yet. We’ve got to face up to it. We’ve got to make this known … and that we’re not going to hide from it.”

Recurring themes highlighted by presenters at the Summit included: the need to provide better education about drug abuse and diversion, especially for prescribers; greater use and seamless integration of state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs; identifying and sharing best-practice solutions; openly admitting problems to facilitate provision of effective treatment and recovery programs; and adequately treating pain without over-prescribing narcotics that lack abuse-deterrent formulations.

The proliferation of opioid medications throughout the United States over the past decade has been met with a corresponding increase in both drug overdose deaths (tripling from 1990 to 2008) and a five-fold increase in treatment admissions (2000 to 2010), said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Any other issue this important would not have been ignored for so long.”

“The cost is in the lives of individuals,” Volkow said. “This is an urgent issue. We can’t afford to wait and wait and wait.”

One of the focus areas of this year’s Summit involved the staggering increase in the number of infants experiencing withdrawal symptoms at birth.

In 2009, one infant was born per hour with signs of drug withdrawal, said Frances Harding, director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Nationally, the cost to provide treatment for these infants is $53,000 per child, said Dr. John Dreyzehner, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, noting there are also many intangible costs on families and caregivers.

U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm (NY-11th) labeled prescription drug abuse “a domestic enemy” that must be addressed immediately and from all fronts. “I don’t understand how it can be right in front of our eyes and still we can’t get enough done.”

“Every American is bearing the burden,” agreed U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall II (WV-3rd), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus. “It’s a difficult and challenging task to save an entire generation. It requires a commitment of mind and heart.”

“We can stop this epidemic,” proclaimed Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “But, we need everyone working together in an all-hands on deck approach.”

This year’s Summit began with a welcome from Rep. Rogers and an update on the country’s response to the prescription drug abuse epidemic from R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), Dr. Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and Dr. Frieden.

Following the opening general session were Vision Sessions that provided an in-depth examination of innovative programs and strategies. Participants engaged leaders from the Appalachian Regional Commission, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, The Partnership at Drugfree.org, CompPharma, SAMHSA, PillGuard, and the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

The afternoon featured breakout sessions in six focus areas: Third-Party Payer, Clinical, Pharmacy, Treatment, Education & Advocacy and Law Enforcement.

In Tuesday’s “Realities of Addiction” keynote presentation, Dr. Volkow provided a stark reminder about the importance of “raising the risk perception” of prescription drugs, especially among adolescents.

The evening concluded with an emotional showing of the non-fiction movie “Pharmboy,” a story about a 16-year-old battling the side effects of being born addicted to drugs. Producer Larry Feeney, along with three students from Rockcastle County High School in Kentucky who have lost loved ones to addiction, were present to answer questions and share their perspectives.

Wednesday began with a panel discussion on the cost of prescription drug abuse. Devlin Barrett, a reporter with The Wall Street Journal, moderated the panel comprised of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) CEO Gen. Arthur Dean, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud Executive Director Dennis Jay, Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney John Niedermann, and Dr. Dreyzehner.

Efforts to tackle the prescription drug problem through legislation were discussed by a panel of the Congressional Caucus. Rep. Daniel Webster (NY-10th) and Rep. William R. “Bill” Keating (MA-9th) joined Rep. Rogers, Rep. Rahall and Rep. Grimm to encourage support for four bills currently pending before Congress.

A majority of these bills “would be unnecessary if the FDA would make the changes on its own,” Rogers noted.

Following the Congressional Forum, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Florida’s Attorney General Pam Bondi shared recent success stories from their home states.

Breakout sessions continued Wednesday afternoon. The day concluded with presentations on preventing and prosecuting prescription drug abuse cases by Director Harding and Rannazzisi, respectively.

Thursday featured in-depth strategy discussions in three critical areas: Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, implementing Successful Strategies for Community Change, and issues related to the U.S. Military.

New this year were Idea Exchange sessions, where participants discussed with peers concerns and strategies about Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, the Appalachian region, and addressing addiction issues among teenagers.

“We were extremely pleased that so many individuals representing such a broad cross-section of interests shared their knowledge and expertise,” said Karen Kelly, director of Operation UNITE, a non-profit anti-drug organization that hosted the Summit. “Collaboration is critical, and the Summit affords an unmatched opportunity for stakeholders to identify opportunities to make an impact within their own communities.”

For more information about the Summit visit their website at www.nationalrxdrugabusesummit.org.

Kelly named Hal Rogers’ District Director

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SOMERSET, KY – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced Thursday, April 11, that the Director of Operation UNITE, Karen Kelly, will be joining his Fifth Congressional District Staff as District Director effective May 15, 2013. Concurrently, Rogers’ District Director, Chris Girdler is announcing his transition to the private sector, while continuing to serve as State Senator for the 15th Senate District of Kentucky.

“This announcement is bittersweet,” said Rogers. “Chris Girdler has served as an effective and capable director of my district operations, and he has shown himself to be in command of the issues and concerns of our region and a tireless advocate for our people. I wish him the best with this new opportunity, as well as his role as State Senator. I have no doubt we’ll continue to work closely to improve the lives of southern and eastern Kentuckians.”

“Fortunately, Karen Kelly has graciously agreed to step into this role and continue the great work of Bob Mitchell, Chris Girdler and the entire staff,” Rogers continued. “Karen has demonstrated tremendous leadership at the helm of the PRIDE program, Operation UNITE, and most recently in coordination of the National Rx Drug Abuse Summit. I am confident her tenacity will shine through as we face tough economic challenges and work to create more jobs, healthier communities, economic development and educational opportunities.”

A Pulaski County native, Chris Girdler has served Rogers in various capacities over the past six years in addition to acting as a board member for both the Center for Rural Development and the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce. On November 6, 2012, Girdler was elected State Senator for the 15th District of Kentucky.

“Congressman Rogers has provided unbelievable opportunities to serve and execute his vision over the years and I will always be indebted to him. Our friendship has never been stronger,” said Girdler. “For my family and me, this new opportunity in the private sector is exciting and it will allow me extend my passion for creating jobs and making critical investments in the future of southern and eastern Kentucky. Along with my new role in public service as State Senator, I am eager to work with my hometown region in a greater capacity.”

Karen Kelly returns to Rogers’ office after 14 years. During that gap, Kelly effectively led the PRIDE program, an effort to improve the environment and waterways of southern and eastern Kentucky. In 2003, Kelly helped launch, and even name, Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education), a regional anti-drug initiative culminating most recently in two consecutive successful, National Rx Drug Abuse Summits. Originally from Elkhorn City, Kentucky, Kelly served as a Field Representative for the 5th Congressional District in the mid 1990s.

“Congressman Rogers is an extraordinary leader and I am humbled by his faith in me to shepherd his district operation,” said Kelly. “Chris and Bob are dear friends and have done an excellent job executing Congressman Rogers’ tremendous vision for our region and I look forward to doing my part to extend that vision. In working with UNITE and PRIDE, I’ve learned the value of partnerships and working across city, county and state boundaries. As we look foward with unity, I hope to continue those friendships as we work together for a better southern and eastern Kentucky.”

Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information, visit http://halrogers.house.gov/

1,200 lbs of drugs collected in UNITE region

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In just a single day, citizens across southern and eastern Kentucky have doubled the amount of unwanted or unused medications returned for safe disposal.

On Saturday, April 27, Operation UNITE partnered with local anti-drug coalitions, the Kentucky State Police, and local law enforcement agencies for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s sixth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

During the four-hour take-back event, 1,171.2 pounds of medications were collected at UNITE locations across its 32-county service region. In addition, 67.8 pounds of medicine was dropped off at the Kentucky State Police posts in London and Harlan.

Six special drop-off sites were set up at Food City pharmacy locations in five counties for Saturday’s initiative.

Anyone unable to bring their medications over the weekend may continue to safely dispose of them throughout the year. Operation UNITE, along with other agencies, have placed permanent medication drop boxes at 34 locations across southern and eastern Kentucky. A list of these drop-off sites is available on the UNITE website. View list of locations.

Since October 1, 2012, UNITE has now collected 1,673.2 pounds of medications from these drop boxes. This is in addition to more than 1 million pills destroyed as a result of community take-back days held during the previous two years.

In Kentucky, 7,171 pounds of medications were collected at 92 sites.

“We were extremely pleased with the response of citizens in our part of the commonwealth to this initiative, which addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said Dan Smoot, vice president of UNITE. “Word is spreading that having unsecured prescription and over-the-counter drugs around the home makes them susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.”

According to the 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers got them through friends or relatives, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet.

Medications, mostly prescription drugs, were involved in nearly 60 percent of the 38,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2010, overshadowing those from illicit narcotics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Another benefit of the drop-box program is protecting the environment.

For years, the generally accepted method for disposing of old or left over medications was to flush them down the toilet. This practice, however, has been strongly discouraged because of concerns about potential health and environmental effects of antibiotics, hormones, painkillers, depressants and stimulants making their way into our water system and soil.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which began in October 2010, aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications.

On April 27, 2013, 742,497 pounds (371 tons) of prescription medications were collected from members of the public at more than 5,829 locations manned by 4,312 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies across the nation that partnered with DEA on the event. When added to the collections from DEA’s previous five Take-Back events, more than 2.8 million pounds (1,409 tons) of prescription medications have been removed from circulation.

Smoot to replace Kelly as UNITE CEO

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LONDON – Dan Smoot, who has been part of the Operation UNITE team since its inception a decade ago, will step up to lead the organization effective May 15.

Smoot_Dan-2012The UNITE Board of Directors voted Tuesday, April 30, to elevate Smoot to President and Chief Executive Officer. He will replace Karen Kelly, who helped create UNITE in 2003.

“The Board of Directors is very pleased to announce the hiring of Dan Smoot as the new executive director of UNITE,” said Board Chair Lonnie Anderson. “Dan brings great leadership skills and experience to his new position. He has served as vice president of UNITE and has demonstrated a deep sense of commitment to the program. We are confident Dan will continue the great work of our President, Karen Kelly.”

“I’ve been here from the start and will continue what we do best – arresting drug traffickers, providing treatment assistance to those dealing with an addiction, and educating our youth about the danger of drugs,” said Smoot, who has overseen the day-to-day operations of UNITE since September 2011. “I feel my time spent as vice president will make the transition to this new role easier.”

“I offer my resignation with a heavy heart,” Kelly told board members on Tuesday. “It’s been an honor to work with the thousands of volunteers, students and families struggling with addiction. I’m a different person today because of the people I’ve met and the stories I’ve heard, but there’s much more to be accomplished.”

Kelly, who is leaving to become District Director for Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers – whose vision led to the creation UNITE – said she can think of nobody more capable of continuing the anti-drug organization’s mission.

“Dan understands Operation UNITE as well as anyone,” Kelly said. “He has a passion for our youth and compassion for families struggling with addiction. I have every confidence in his ability to take UNITE to the next level.”

Smoot is a 1982 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. After completing the Kentucky State Police Academy he was assigned to Post 13 in Hazard, where he served for 22 years – 14 years in the Narcotics Division.

That experience led him to being named Director of Law Enforcement for Operation UNITE in November 2003. Under Smoot’s leadership, UNITE’s drug task force became accredited by the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police in 2005.

3 Knott Central students receive UNITE scholarships

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HINDMAN – Three Knott County Central High School seniors were recognized Thursday, May 9, as recipients of an “I Am UNITE” scholarship.

Knott scholarships 5-9-13This is the first year for the scholarships, valued at $1,500 each.

Seniors Brian Catron, Kennedy King and Avery Shrum were presented the scholarships by Paul Hays, UNITE law enforcement director.

A total of 19 “I Am UNITE” scholarships are being given this year by the UNITE Foundation, funded through private donations and proceeds from two National Rx Drug Abuse Summits.

To receive a scholarship and be named a UNITE Ambassador, students had to demonstrate: commitment to their school’s UNITE Club, personal contributions to his or her school and community, exemplify UNITE’s goals by living a drug-free lifestyle, and write an essay.

“I have seen too many of my family and friends’ lives negatively impacted by the use of drugs,” King stated in her essay. “It is one of the most difficult and saddest things to see … a life full of potential to not only be distracted but stopped by at-risk behavior.”

“Although drugs have never affected my family in a close way, I still feel as if it is a duty of mine to help make my community a better place,” Catron wrote.

Shrum stated that his family has been directly impacted from substance abuse. “These tragedies involving drugs really hit close to home … and they have only added to my desire to participate in the UNITE Club and help to raise awareness to the realities of drug misuse.”

Scholarship recipients also received a desktop award naming them a “UNITE Ambassador,” a reminder to keep inspiring others each day of their lives.

“Someone dies every 15 minutes of a drug-related overdose. Ensuring that every person in every community understands the dangers posed by prescription drugs, and what to do when a loved one struggles with an addiction, is one of UNITE’s top priorities,” Hays said. “UNITE believes that prevention, particularly among our youth, is the best way to reduce drug use and its deadly consequences.”

6 free regional basketball camps offered

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Six free regional basketball camps conducted by former University of Kentucky all-star Jeff Sheppard will be offered by Operation UNITE this summer.

All school-age youth are invited to participate in the Shoot Hoops Not Drugs programs at the following dates and locations:

• Monday, June 3 – Carter County, East Carter Middle School, 1 Spirit Lane, Grayson

• Tuesday, June 4 – Elliott County, Elliott County High School, Main Street, Sandy Hook

• Thursday, June 6 – Bell County, Middlesboro High School, 4404 West Cumberland Ave., Middlesboro

• Monday, June 17 – Leslie County, Leslie County High School, off U.S. 421, south of Hyden

• Tuesday, June 18 – Lincoln County, Lincoln County High School, 60 Education Way, Stanford

• Thursday, June 20 – Breathitt County, Sebastian Middle School, 244 LBJ Road, Jackson

Each camp begins at 4 p.m. and concludes about 7 p.m. Participants are asked to arrive 30 minutes early to complete registration.

Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camps provide basketball skills instruction in conjunction with anti-drug and self-esteem messages.

For safety, participants are asked not to wear open-toe shoes or sandals.

All participants will receive a free event T-shirt, regulation event basketball, food and water, and be entered into a drawing for two portable basketball goals given away at the conclusion of each camp (must be present to win).

Presented by Codell Construction Management, Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camps are fun, interactive and provide a safe, drug-free activity where children have an opportunity to interact with positive role models while learning fundamental basketball skills.

In addition, parents and guardians will have an opportunity to attend a UNITE Foundation education program on synthetic drugs and how to talk to their children about drugs. Information on the signs, symptoms and dangers posed by drugs will also be provided.

As a senior at the University of Kentucky, Sheppard was named the NCAA’s Final Four Most Valuable Player in the Wildcats’ 1997-98 National Championship season. He would later go on to play one season with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and 3 years in Italy.

Helping make the 2013 Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camps possible are: Enough (Lifeline of Carter County), Flowers Bakery of London, Inc., Laurel Grocery Company, Walmart of Louisa, Pineville Rotary Club, Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy, Chad’s Hope Teen Challenge Center, First National Bank of Grayson, WestCare Kentucky and Grayson Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation.

Since 2006, UNITE has conducted 44 regional camps with 5,668 youth participants representing 53 Kentucky counties, 13 other states and two other countries.

Babies ‘collateral damage’ of drug abuse

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LONDON – Every hour a baby is born dependent on drugs in the United States.

Because that figure is based upon 2009 data – the latest available – officials believe the problem is actually much worse today.

Caring for these infants and addressing ways to help mothers was the focus of a roundtable discussion held last week at the London Community Center.

More than 60 people – including hospital officials, medical professionals, state and local leaders, and drug control officials from across southern and eastern Kentucky – participated in the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) forum.

“Kentucky has seen an unfathomable increase in infants suffering from NAS over the last decade, so it’s time to start the dialogue between physicians, healthcare leaders, legislators and other stakeholders to find a way to better help drug-addicted pregnant women and their babies,” said U.S. Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, urging immediate action to prevent the “collateral damage being done to the innocents.”

“With Operation UNITE, we’ve learned community action and awareness makes the difference,” said Rogers, who helped launch the anti-drug organization 10 years ago and co-founded the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse. “Now, we’re shifting our focus to the O.B. Floor of our hospitals where nurseries are filled with drug-exposed infants who shake and shriek in pain.”

In addition to Rogers, program participants included Carla Saunders, neonatal nurse practitioner at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital; Dr. Ruth Shepherd, director of the Division of Maternal and Child Health in the Kentucky Department for Public Health; and Dave Hopkins, program manager for the Kentucky All-Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting (KASPER) system within the Kentucky Office of Inspector General.

According to a recent report in The Courier-Journal newspaper, hospitalizations for addicted newborns in Kentucky has increased 2,400 percent, from 29 in 2000 to 730 in 2011.

Saunders, who was honored last year as a “Great American Hero” for her leadership in the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome program, said the cost to care for a NAS baby averages about $53,000 nationally – more than seven times that of a normal baby.

And the problems don’t end once a baby leaves the hospital.

If the mother is still coming off her treatment for drug addiction, and the baby still exhibits the crying and other symptoms of NAS, “it’s a perfect setup for child abuse or sudden infant death syndrome,” Shepherd stated. “We have no plans for relapse.”

“The first two years of a child’s development is critical,” Shepherd said, adding one of the greatest unknowns is the long-term effect on emotional and social behavior.

In 2012, the Kentucky General Assembly mandated use of KASPER for all prescribed and dispensed narcotics in an effort to reduce prescription drug abuse in the state. Hopkins said that legislation is making an impact and could potentially reduce the problem in the future.

Hopkins said a proposed study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would examine the prescribing history of mothers of infants with NAS along with Medicaid records to identify any patterns that would allow for mitigation and or prevention. This evaluation would include pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and post-pregnancy time frames.

“It’s a complex problem that has to be worked at together,” noted Tom Handy, a retired commonwealth’s attorney and board member for Operation UNITE. “There are ways to coordinate, but we are in new territory.”


Service Corps touching young lives

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PRESTONSBURG – “You give hope. You touch lives. And, you do that every year.”

That was the sentiment of long-time educator John Hale, principal at Somerset Christian School and chairman of the Rockcastle County UNITE Coalition, who praised the efforts and achievements of UNITE’s Service Corps during a year-end celebration held May 23 at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg.

“Education is a noble profession. You won’t get rich, but you will touch lives,” Hale said. “Children will meet our expectations.”

Hale said leadership requires setting the proper example: Respect others, be genuine, be kind and courteous, and display good ethics. “Take personal pride in doing a good job,” he said. “Give of yourself and the dividends are out of this world.”

Operation UNITE employed 44 full-time AmeriCorps members to serve schools in 11 school districts as part of its Service Corps initiative during the 2012-13 school year.

AmeriCorps members provide math tutoring, teach the “Too Good for Drugs” and “Healthy Futures/Take 10” wellness curriculums, and coordinate anti-drug UNITE Clubs. In addition, members provide thousands of hours of volunteer service and recruit volunteers for school prevention activities.

“I am humbled by what you do every day to help children make goals and keep them,” Eileen Cackowski, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (which coordinates the AmeriCorps program statewide), told those attending the luncheon.

“I firmly believe the Service Corps program is one of UNITE’s crown jewels,” said Dan Smoot, president of UNITE. “It makes a difference in kids’ lives.”

Each participating school contributes $5,500 toward the salary of their AmeriCorps member. Upon completion of one or two years of service, members are eligible for a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that can be used to pay back student loans or cover tuition costs.

“It’s a win-win,” said Ralph Kilgore, director of pupil personnel for the Pike County school system. “You’re making a difference – for the district, for the school, and especially for our children.”

Others attending the event included Andrea Sieloff, KCCVS program officer, and Marionette Little, Pike County Safe Schools/Drug Free Schools director.

“There have been many things to celebrate this past year,” said Eugene Newsome, who has coordinated the Service Corps program the past two years. “Our big challenge was the expansion to 44 members (from 28 members) because of additional funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service.”

This past fall, UNITE’s Service Corps received the “Governor’s Citation of Excellence” for service to citizens during the 2012 Make A Difference Day food drive.

More than 10.3 tons of food was collected – enough to feed 41,255 people in need an 8-ounce serving. This food was donated to Family Resource and Youth Service Centers, community charitable groups and/or church pantries in the communities where the food was collected.

Second-year member AnnDraia Bales, serving Hayes Lewis Elementary in Leslie County, was nominated for the Governor’s Volunteer Award. Aleisha Lewis, a first-year member serving Page School Center in Bell County, received Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers’ “Difference Maker Award” for work in her district.

In the wake of recent natural disasters, all UNITE Service Corps members received state certification in disaster preparedness and response so they would be ready to help their communities in case of an emergency.

The expansion also led to the addition of Nancy Hale as assistant Service Corps coordinator.

“This year we have really been hurt with a lot of personal tragedies within our schools,” Hale noted. “We can’t celebrate without remembering those people. Our members rallied in support of families, even if tragedy was at a different school.”

“You should never forget the real purpose of what we’re doing,” Hale said.

Although the final numbers aren’t yet available, through March 15 this year the UNITE Service Corps:

• Tutored 2,007 students in math. These students showed a growth of 35.1 percent in test scores.

• Recruited 1,442 volunteers who recorded 11,814 service hours for their schools.

• Served as sponsors for 55 UNITE Clubs that had 2,910 student members.

• Had 2,256 students participate in the Too Good For Drugs or Healthy Futures curriculum. Post-test scores indicate a 43.5 percent increase in healthy decisions and drug education knowledge.

• Served 3,682 disadvantaged children.

• Mentored 4,094 students

3 SHND camps remaining

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Three free regional basketball camps conducted by former University of Kentucky all-star Jeff Sheppard will be offered by Operation UNITE June 17-20. These are the final camps of the year.

All school-age youth are invited to participate in the Shoot Hoops Not Drugs programs at the following dates and locations:

• Monday, June 17 – Leslie County, Leslie County High School, off U.S. 421, south of Hyden

• Tuesday, June 18 – Lincoln County, Lincoln County High School, 60 Education Way, Stanford

• Thursday, June 20 – Breathitt County, Sebastian Middle School, 244 LBJ Road, Jackson

Each camp begins at 4 p.m. and concludes about 7 p.m. Participants are asked to arrive 30 minutes early to complete registration.

The first three camps this year – Carter, Elliott and Bell counties – have been attended by 446 youth participants representing nine Kentucky counties and five other states.

Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camps provide basketball skills instruction in conjunction with anti-drug and self-esteem messages.

For safety, participants are asked not to wear open-toe shoes or sandals.

All participants will receive a free event T-shirt, regulation event basketball, food and water, and be entered into a drawing for two portable basketball goals given away at the conclusion of each camp (must be present to win).

Presented by Codell Construction Management and Senture, Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camps are fun, interactive and provide a safe, drug-free activity where children have an opportunity to interact with positive role models while learning fundamental basketball skills.

In addition, parents and guardians will have an opportunity to attend a UNITE Foundation education program on synthetic drugs and how to talk to their children about drugs. Information on the signs, symptoms and dangers posed by drugs will also be provided.

As a senior at the University of Kentucky, Sheppard was named the NCAA’s Final Four Most Valuable Player in the Wildcats’ 1997-98 National Championship season. He would later go on to play one season with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and 3 years in Italy.

Helping make the 2013 Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camps possible are: Enough (Lifeline of Carter County), Flowers Bakery of London, Inc., Laurel Grocery Company, Walmart of Louisa, Pineville Rotary Club, Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy, Chad’s Hope Teen Challenge Center, First National Bank of Grayson, WestCare Kentucky, Wilhoit Law Office, Breathitt County Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) and Grayson Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation.

Since 2006, UNITE has conducted 47 regional camps with 6,111 youth participants representing 55 Kentucky counties, 15 other states and two other countries.

Indiana city to model Camp UNITE

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WILLIAMSBURG, KY – Three officials from a southwestern Indiana community are participating on staff this week at Operation UNITE’s Camp UNITE to get a feel for how things operate – just in time for their inaugural camp program in Evansville next week.

From left, Kyle Phernetton, director of public relations at the Vanderburgh County (Indiana) Prosecutor's Office; Detective Brock Hensley, with the Evansville Police Department’s Meth Suppression Unit; and Lt. Tim Everley, director of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, prepare items donated for youth at the seventh annual Camp UNITE program at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky on Tuesday, July 23. The three will be hosting a camp based on Camp UNITE starting July 29.

From left, Kyle Phernetton, director of public relations at the Vanderburgh County (Indiana) Prosecutor’s Office; Detective Brock Hensley, with the Evansville Police Department’s Meth Suppression Unit; and Lt. Tim Everley, director of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, prepare items donated for youth at the seventh annual Camp UNITE program at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky on Tuesday, July 23. The three will be hosting a camp based on Camp UNITE starting July 29.

“We tried to model (our camp) off of what you’ve done down here,” said Kyle Phernetton, director of public relations at the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office, which is sponsoring that camp along with the Evansville Police Department and Vanderburgh Sheriff’s Office. “We’ve been working on the planning for about a year.”

Camp UNITE is a free 4-day, 3-night leadership/adventure program for youth entering grades 7-9 during the upcoming school year. More than 200 youth are attending this year’s seventh annual event at the University of Cumberlands, which began July 23.

Approximately 30 middle school-aged youth are expected for the Indiana program, also a free week-long residential camp to be held on campus at the University of Southern Indiana July 29 to August 1. Law enforcement officers and officials from the prosecutor’s office will serve as staff.

“Most of the kids are ones we’ve placed in foster care because of meth labs,” noted Detective Brock Hensley, with the Evansville Police Department’s Meth Suppression Unit. “One of our goals is to let them see police in a different light instead of just taking mom and dad off to jail.”

“It gives us an opportunity to show the kids they can succeed in life and see that they can get out of whatever situation they’re in,” added Lt. Tim Everley, director of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force. “We want to teach them leadership skills that they can use instead of just being followers.”

“We are using the University of Southern Indiana to get them on a college campus to show them what it’s like and to encourage them to continue with their education,” Everley added. “Our long-term goal is to expand. We’re using next week’s camp to get our feet wet.”

The Evansville group became fascinated with the concept of Camp UNITE about three years ago when UNITE President Dan Smoot spoke at a national methamphetamine conference in Texas.

“Basically I mentioned the impact law enforcement officers could have with the youth using unconventional ways, such as our Camp UNITE,” said Smoot, who at the time was UNITE’s law enforcement director. “The next two years we e-mailed back and forth and I went up and met with some community leaders there in Evansville.”

“As the drug epidemic worsens nationally, we have to look at new ways to impact the next generation,” Smoot continued. “Camp UNITE is a prime example of that. We not only ensure the kids enjoy themselves through various activities, but we constantly bring them drug-free messages and expose them to positive role-models through our youth counselors and adult volunteers.”

Camp activities are designed to develop leadership and communication skills, promote teamwork and problem solving, instill confidence and trust, and let youth know they do not have to face difficult situations on their own. Activities during the week include competitive events, swimming, outrageous games, motivational speakers, a visit a local water park, and more.

“The amount of organization that has to take place is incredible,” noted Everley. “It’s kind of like the first day of school.”

For more information about assisting with the Evansville program contact Kyle Phernetton at 812-435-5688 or kphernetton@vanderburghgov.org.

Rogers: ‘Be A Hero’

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WILLIAMSBURG, KY — U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers encouraged students to “Be a Hero” during the closing ceremonies of the 7th Annual Camp UNITE on Friday, July 26, 2013 on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands. Rogers was introduced by Rockcastle County High School graduate Hannah Eaton who has testified before Congress and spoken to national leaders about the urgency for better legislation and policies in the war on drugs.

“I’m incredibly proud of students like Hannah who have lost close family members to drug overdoses, but choose to turn tragedy into hope through education,” said Rogers. “Like this year’s camp motto, Hannah decided to “Be a Hero” for her community and classmates. She wanted to make a difference and she has.”

Hannah was one of 19 high school seniors in southern and eastern Kentucky who received one of Operation UNITE’s first scholarships through its new “I Am UNITE” scholarship fund created by private donations.

“I am so honored to have been given the opportunity to speak to important people like the U.S. Drug Czar, the director of the FDA and the CDC about the drug problem in my county and our region,” said Hannah Eaton, a camp counselor. “UNITE has changed my life, so I try to pay-it-forward here at Camp UNITE and be a positive influence for these kids.”

More than 220 students from 25 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky attended this year’s camp that focused on drug-free leadership and adventure. Campers experienced a variety of games and adventures during the 4-day, 3-night camp, including archery, golf, basketball, dance, drama, a talent show and a day at the Kentucky Splash Water Park in Williamsburg. Campers heard from motivational speakers and recovering drug addicts each day.

During the ceremony, Rogers presented Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison with a “Difference Maker Award” for his efforts to continue drug-free education in southern Kentucky.

“Mayor Harrison and the City of Williamsburg has been a great host for Camp UNITE year after year. And Mayor Harrison is always on the front lines, finding ways to educate his community about drug abuse,” said Rogers.

To close out Camp UNITE, more than 200 campers decided to sign a pledge to live drug-free.

Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information, visit http://halrogers.house.gov/ or follow Rogers on Twitter or on Facebook.

UNITE funded for 44 AmeriCorps members

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FRANKFORT – Operation UNITE’s AmeriCorps program is one of 12 programs across Kentucky to receive grant funding, Audrey Tayse Haynes, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, announced this week.

“With this grant, the UNITE Service Corps will continue to provide 44 full-time AmeriCorps members to schools in southern and eastern Kentucky for the upcoming term,” stated Debbie Trusty, UNITE education director.

This is the sixth year UNITE has received funding to provide math tutoring and drug abuse prevention education to elementary school students. Service Corps members also serve as sponsors for anti-drug UNITE Clubs and recruit volunteers for school-based prevention programs.

AmeriCorps is a national service program administered by the Cabinet and serves faith-based and nonprofit organizations with critical educational, environmental and safety needs. Grant recipients include programs dedicated to efforts ranging from preventing student dropouts to serving survivors of domestic violence.

“The stories of success as a result of this kind of service are incredible,” Secretary Haynes said. “Through these grants, local citizens are addressing local needs.”

The Kentucky programs receiving grants totaling $3.8 million include 472 full- and part-time members. Their projects will last three months to one year and most begin this fall.

Among the agencies to receive funding is the MSUCorps at Morehead State University. This group will receive $379,050 to fund 23 full-time members to provide reading tutoring for academically at-risk students utilizing the “Great Leaps” reading curriculum and recruit and train community volunteers to be reading tutors. Members develop and demonstrate skills in tutoring, civic engagement and volunteer recruitment in eastern Kentucky.

Both the UNITE Service Corps and MSU Corps are funded through an annual grant competition by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a public-private partnership that engages Americans of all ages in service.

As part of the announcement, CNCS, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, has also awarded a School Turnaround AmeriCorps grant to Berea College for its PartnerCorps program. The $633,689 grant provides for 40 AmeriCorps members, who will work as mentors, college advisers and family advocates for students at Knox Central and Leslie County high schools. The 10-month program targets low-income and rural students.

Commission Executive Director Eileen Cackowski said 100 percent of AmeriCorps grant money goes directly to strengthen these community programs.

“Kentucky will have more AmeriCorps programs this year than last year, and we eventually hope to have programs in every county,” she said. “The AmeriCorps program is a good fit for Kentucky and brings in millions for college educations, as well as thousands of hours of service to communities.”

Since AmeriCorps began in 1994, more than 8,500 Kentucky residents have served more than 8.4 million hours and have qualified for Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $28 million. During the 2011-12 program year, 411 AmeriCorps members provided 561,750 hours of service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its citizens.

AmeriCorps members may serve up to two, full-service years. Upon completion of their service, members are eligible for an education award equal to the Pell grant, currently $5,550, that can be used to pay back student loans or cover tuition costs.

For more information about Kentucky’s AmeriCorps programs or AmeriCorps projects, call Program Officer Andrea Sieloff toll-free 1-800-239-7404, ext. 3842, or visit the KCCVS website at www.volunteerKY.ky.gov.

Ceremony to unveil mobile classroom, ‘Hope Wall’

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A mobile drug education classroom and a recovery “Hope Wall” will be unveiled by Operation UNITE during a ceremony to be held Friday, August 16, in Manchester.

Helping to announce the major education and treatment initiatives will be U.S. Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear, Eastern Kentucky University President Dr. Michael T. Benson, Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers and People Advocating People (PAR) CEO Mike Barry.

The program, which is free and open to the public, begins at 1 p.m. at EKU’s Manchester Campus, 50 University Drive.

“In UNITE’s 10th year anniversary, it’s time to celebrate the lives that have been saved through treatment and recovery efforts by unveiling stories of hope and encouragement for those still battling addiction. And as a leader in the war on the drugs, I applaud UNITE’s effort to expand its educational outreach state-wide, offering a new tool that takes UNITE on road,” Rogers stated. “Together, we are making a difference!”

“From its inception, UNITE has operated under the belief that the most effective way to deal with our drug problem is to focus equally on law enforcement, treatment and education,” said Dan Smoot, UNITE president/CEO. “This model has been cited for its effectiveness on the national level.”

Taking a holistic approach to substance abuse among youth, who are often the unintended victims of drug use, is important, stated Beshear, who sits on the board for Recovery Kentucky, which provides housing and recovery services at centers across the state.

“Our efforts to battle substance abuse and misuse in Kentucky need to be as varied and wide-ranging as the problems and causes of drug abuse itself,” Beshear noted. “Recovery Kentucky and UNITE are modern programs that use peer and community support, treatment and education as tools to aid in prevention and help victims successfully get clean and stay clean. UNITE’s mobile classroom is a unique way to teach our children real-life instances of drug mistreatment, and we hope that it will go toward preventing future abuse and misuse.”

“This state-of-the-art mobile classroom is one-of-a-kind,” Smoot noted. “Education about substance abuse and prevention is so important, especially at an early age. Just think if we never had to worry about making arrests or providing treatment.”

UNITE’s “On The Move” education trailer will feature an interactive drug prevention program tailored to elementary, middle and high school students. In addition, youth will participate in three interactive training modules that focus on the consequences of distraction and impairment from alcohol and other drugs.

Use of the mobile education classroom will begin this September in Rockcastle and Pike counties.

Another component of the “On The Move” initiative will be development of two community education kits for use by anti-drug community groups and organizations. The first kit, “Life With A Record,” will be released later this fall.

The trailer is being funded through a $150,000 per year Rural Health Outreach grant awarded through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

The “Hope Wall” will honor 150 individuals who have been recovering from an addiction for at least one year.

“At UNITE’s first two National Rx Drug Abuse Summits we were struck by the power and emotion of a wall featuring images of individuals who had lost their lives because of drugs,” Smoot said. “It is important to never forget the tragic human toll of addiction, but it is equally important to offer a message of hope to those currently caught in the grips of addiction.”

“Sobriety is worth celebrating,” Smoot continued. “This wall will provide encouragement for those battling this horrible disease to seek help and realize there is a hope for a brighter future.”

The movable wall will travel to various events throughout southern and eastern Kentucky. Additional photos of those in recovery will be periodically rotated.

For more information about the “Hope Wall” contact UNITE Treatment Director Amy Yates at 606-330-1400 or ayates@centertech.com.

‘Hope Wall,’ education classroom unveiled

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MANCHESTER (August 16, 2013) – A sign along the Hal Rogers Parkway at Manchester welcomes visitors to “The City of Hope.”

On Friday, 10 years after the launch of Operation UNITE, elected officials and community volunteers gathered to celebrate two new reasons for Hope in the fight against drugs: a wall celebrating those who have overcome addiction and a state-of-the-art mobile education classroom that will be used in schools across southern and eastern Kentucky.

To view photos from the event click here.

“It is time to start celebrating the lives that have been forever changed through your treatment and recovery efforts,” Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers told the nearly 250 people gathered for the announcement.

“In the midst of those cries for help we’re beginning to hear more tears of joy and triumph,” Rogers said, noting that for the first time in a decade Kentucky drug-related overdose deaths declined last year. “It is because of your efforts.”

“Today we celebrate victories, celebrate recovery and celebrate hope,” noted Clay County Pastor Doug Abner, whose efforts helped spark church involvement in the anti-drug fight a decade ago.

Members of the Chad’s Hope Teen Challenge Center, a faith-based recovery program located northwest of town, unveiled the new UNITE “Hope Wall,” which features photos and brief statements about the individuals’ journeys to sobriety. Through “the word of their testimony,” Rogers noted, maybe others will realize there is a way out of the shackles of addiction.

An example of a family’s struggles was shared by long-time educators John and Nancy Hale of Rockcastle County. Their son – a model student and athlete – became addicted on medication that had been prescribed for an injury. Through many ups and downs he eventually turned his life around, recently graduated from law school and has gotten married.

“One of the things we’ve learned in the middle of the pain is that we are not alone,” Nancy Hale said, referring to their steadfast faith throughout the years-long process. “We had to choose life” to make sure no other parent goes through what their family has endured.

Recovery is just a part of the picture.

“I think we all agree that the best way to save our children from suffering through the pains of withdrawal, relapses in recovery, and the trials of drug addiction is through education,” Rogers said, introducing UNITE’s new “On The Move” mobile classroom.

This latest initiative – funded through a three-year competitive Rural Health Outreach grant awarded through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration – features an interactive drug prevention program tailored to elementary, middle and high school students. In addition, youth will participate in three interactive training modules that focus on the consequences of distraction and impairment from alcohol and other drugs.

“Education is vitally important, but the love of one person can make a huge difference,” said Dr. Michael Benson, president of Eastern Kentucky University, who shared his own family’s story of dealing with addiction.

“I’m proud to be associated with this cause,” Benson said, pledging EKU’s support. “We want to be a part. We want to bring the power of education to the fight against drugs.”

The interior of the mobile classroom features colorful hand-painted murals. Rogers presented the artist, Rebecca Arvin of Rockcastle County, with a “Difference Maker” award for donating her time and talent to the project.

State Senate President Robert Stivers, whose 25th District covers seven Eastern Kentucky counties, credited Rogers for giving him “a lot of political courage” to take on the drug fight in Frankfort.

Kentucky is frequently taking the lead in efforts to prevent and curb the effects of substance abuse, noted Mike Barry, director of People Advocating Recovery (PAR) in Kentucky.

Speaking about the “joys of recovery,” Barry emphasized that it is important to remove the stigma and discrimination of addiction and recovery.

Families “are afraid to reach out and ask for help (because of what others may think),” Barry commented, adding, “There is help. There is hope. And, there is healing.”

“UNITE is now a national model thanks to each one of you,” Rogers said. “It is the grassroots efforts and your individual courage of conviction that has helped save countless lives through the partnerships you have committed to the three branches of Operation UNITE – law enforcement, treatment and education.”


Treatment initiative ‘a model’

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LONDON – At age 14, Chad Webb began drinking alcohol.

It wasn’t long before his youthful experimentation had progressed to more potent drugs and an addiction to prescription pain killers.

“All I was worrying about is how I would get my next high,” the 38-year-old Pike County resident told state lawmakers during a meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary in London on September 6.

But that life came to an end in 2005, when Webb was arrested by Operation UNITE detectives on drug trafficking charges. His arrest coincided with the launch of new initiatives by the anti-drug organization, and set in motion a sequence of events that turned his life around.

In June 2005, UNITE began a toll-free Treatment Referral Line (1-866-908-6483) to help individuals such as Webb connect with the limited number of treatment facilities serving southern and eastern Kentucky. The following month, Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal’ Rogers announced the creation of UNITE’s Treatment Voucher Program to assist low-income residents obtain residential treatment.

Webb was one of the Voucher Program’s first recipients, and graduated from treatment on July 6, 2006.

“For 2,741 days I’ve been a good dad and husband,” Webb said. “The war on drugs is far from over, but at least for me the battle has been won.”

DSC_0009-Hal“Addiction is a treatable illness, but there’s not a silver bullet,” Rogers told the committee. “UNITE provides a lifeline of hope” through its voucher program and treatment help line.

The three-person UNITE treatment team currently fields more than 1,200 calls for assistance each month from addicts or family members seeking guidance with an addiction issue.

“These are life and death calls,” noted Dan Smoot, UNITE president/CEO. “They feel they have no other option.”

“We in far Eastern Kentucky have just been devastated (by drugs),” said committee member Sen. Ray S. Jones II, who represents Pike, Martin and Johnson counties. “UNITE has saved life after life after life.”

Ronald L. Hatfield, manager of Health Information Solutions, said his son was one of those lives saved.

During a separate presentation to committee members about prescription drug monitoring programs across the nation, Hatfield said he was the father of a prescription drug addict who had received help at the Chad’s Hope Teen Challenge Center in Clay County. “He would not be alive today without all the work UNITE has done.”

Treatment for an addiction is a process, noted Rep. Kelly Flood, who represents part of Fayette County. “Relapse is part of the recovery process.”

“Is everybody going to get well? Certainly not,” acknowledged UNITE’s Smoot, but “treatment gives them the tools” they need for recovery.

“Many of these people (such as Webb) come back with a passion for life” after completing a treatment program, Rogers noted. “The key has been educating people that there is hope. We must continue to focus on treatment and education programs.”

Unfortunately, Rogers said $374 billion a year is spent by federal and state governments on substance abuse, but only 1.9 percent of that goes toward drug and alcohol prevention and treatment.

Van Ingram, director of the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, called the UNITE Voucher Program and Treatment Referral Line “a model we need to consider” for implementation statewide.

“UNITE is the only place where they will (take the time and effort to) try to meet the person’s needs,” Ingram said.

Rep. Robert Benvenuti III, who represents part of Fayette County, agreed. “What they have done brings tribute to the commonwealth,” he said.

Congressman Rogers saluted legislators for focusing on substance abuse issues over the past few years, noting their efforts have paid off.

“For the first time in a decade the drug overdose deaths declined last year,” Rogers said. “You are saving lives.”

Drug Take-Back Day October 26

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Residents living in southern and eastern Kentucky wishing to dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications have plenty of options at this coming Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

DSC_0005-dropbox-sidecutOver the past year, Operation UNITE has helped establish 41 permanent medication drop box sites in 34 counties. These boxes are available free to citizens during operating hours that vary by location.

In addition, special take-back sites will be available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on October 26 at Kentucky State Police Posts and other law enforcement agencies in 12 of UNITE’s counties.

“Having unsecured prescription and over-the-counter drugs around the home makes them susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse,” said Dan Smoot, director of UNITE. “We are proud to partner with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to offer easy-to-access locations for disposal of these medications.”

During the Take-Back Day event held this past April, nearly 1,200 pounds of prescription medications were collected at UNITE drop-box locations.

Residents are asked to please remove all identifying labels from prescription bottles before bringing them to the drop-off sites.

According to the 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, twice as many Americans regularly abused prescription drugs than the number of those who regularly used cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin and inhalants combined.

That same study revealed more than 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers got them through friends or relatives, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet.

An August 2013 Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 1 in 10 Americans admit taking a prescription drug they have not been prescribed, and a quarter of those people have used them just to get high.

“With increased abuse comes an increase in the number of overdose deaths,” Smoot said. “Unfortunately, this part of the commonwealth is being impacted the most.”

Seven of the top 10 counties with the highest rate of overdose deaths for 2011 and 2012 combined are located in southern and eastern Kentucky, according to the 2012 Overdose Fatality Report issued by the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy.

In 2012 there were 1,004 overdose fatalities in Kentucky – the first decline in a decade – down from 1,023 the year before. Of the deaths, 888 were unintentional, 59 were suicides and 57 remain undetermined, the report stated.

Medications, mostly prescription drugs, were involved in nearly 60 percent of the 38,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2010, overshadowing those from illicit narcotics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• For a list of permanent drop box locations in the UNITE service region visit http://operationunite.org/investigations/med-drop-box-sites/.

• For a list of permanent drop box and National Take-Back Day locations statewide visit the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy website at http://odcp.ky.gov/Kentucky+Prescription+Drug+Disposal+Sites.htm.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which began in October 2010, aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications. More than 2.8 million pounds (1,409 tons) of pills were removed from circulation in the first six DEA Take-Back Days.

1 ton of meds collected

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More than one ton of outdated or unwanted medications was collected by Operation UNITE as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s seventh National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this past weekend.

A total of 2,021.5 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs were collected from permanent drop box locations in 34 southern and eastern Kentucky counties – an increase of 850.3 pounds from the Take-Back Day held this past April.

This total does not include any medications brought to other special locations – such as Kentucky State Police posts – established for the four-hour take-back event.

“We are very pleased with the response from citizens who wanted to get rid of their outdated or unwanted medications in a safe and responsible way,” said Dan Smoot, UNITE’s president. “Getting these pills out of the medicine cabinet will reduce the potential for their abuse and misuse.”

According to the 2011 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 70 percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers got them through friends or relatives, a statistic that includes raiding the family medicine cabinet.

That study also found that twice as many Americans regularly abused prescription drugs than the number of those who regularly used cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin and inhalants combined.

With the abuse comes a corresponding increase in drug-related deaths.

A report released earlier this month by the Trust For America’s Health found that Kentucky had the third highest mortality rate of prescription drug overdoses in 2010 (23.6 per 100,000), with the number of all drug overdose deaths more than quadrupling since 1999 (4.9 per 100,000). Nationally the rate has doubled, with 50 people dying from an overdose of prescription drugs every day.

Another benefit of the drop-box program is protecting the environment.

For years, the generally accepted method for disposing of old or left over medications was to flush them down the toilet. This practice, however, has been strongly discouraged because of concerns about potential health and environmental effects of antibiotics, hormones, painkillers, depressants and stimulants making their way into our water system and soil.

It’s Not Too Late

Operation UNITE has helped establish 41 permanent medication drop box sites in 34 counties that are available free to citizens during operating hours that vary by location.

Residents are asked to please remove all identifying labels from prescription bottles before bringing them to the drop-off sites.

“Every county in our region has at least one permanent drop-off site that can be used year-round,” Smoot noted. “We hope more and more people will take advantage of this service.”

With this weekend’s collection, UNITE has collected 4,614.7 pounds of medications since the drop boxes were first established October 1, 2012.

• For a list of permanent drop box locations in the UNITE service region visit http://operationunite.org/investigations/med-drop-box-sites/.

• For a list of permanent drop box locations statewide visit the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy website at http://odcp.ky.gov/Kentucky+Prescription+Drug+Disposal+Sites.htm.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which began in October 2010, aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications.

While totals from this past weekend were not yet available, more than 2.8 million pounds (1,409 tons) of pills were removed from circulation in the first six DEA Take-Back Days.

Food drive expected to set record

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Thousands of struggling Eastern Kentucky families will have their holiday tables brightened thanks to the generosity of their neighbors.

Food drives conducted by UNITE Service Corps (AmeriCorps) members at dozens of schools across the region have so far netted nearly 9 tons of non-perishable items that will be distributed within their local communities.

And this number is expected to increase.

“Some schools don’t even hold their food drives until November or December,” said Eugene Newsome, director of the UNITE Service Corps initiative. “When all the food drives have concluded I fully expect we will exceed the 10.3 tons of food brought in last year, which was the highest total in our Service Corps history.”

In addition, Newsome added, several Service Corps members are organizing fundraisers to purchase turkeys, hams and even complete holiday meal baskets that will not be included in the final numbers reported to the Kentucky Commission on Community and Volunteer Service (KCCVS), which oversees AmeriCorps programs in the state.

Newsome was notified Wednesday, Nov. 6, that UNITE’s Service Corps finished third among school-based programs in a statewide competition conducted by the KCCVS – a one-step increase from last year.

Through the end of October, when the contest period ended, UNITE’s Service Corps had collected 286,734 ounces (8.96 tons) of food – an average of 6,516.68 ounces per member.

“Based on the KCCVS 8-ounce serving portion, that is enough food to feed 35,842 people as a result of this food drive,” Newsome said. “Since then, I’d say I have received at least another ton of food. The outpouring of support from residents of southern and eastern Kentucky is just incredible.”

All of the food is donated to Family Resource and Youth Service Centers, community charitable groups and/or church pantries within the communities where the food was collected.

In total, Kentucky AmeriCorps programs collected 44.93 tons of food in their local communities for individuals and families in need – enough to feed 179,737 people.

For the third consecutive year, Morehead State University’s MSUCorps captured first place in the school-based category, collecting 12,787.53 ounces per member.

While the numbers are impressive, Newsome said there is a more important lesson to be learned from the annual food drives.

“I’m not as much concerned about the totals as I am about teaching our children to give back to their communities,” Newsome stated. “Inspiring and encouraging individuals to participate in community service projects is the main goal. The type of service doesn’t matter. What is important is the giving of your time, talents and resources to make a difference in the lives of others.”

UNITE employs 44 full-time AmeriCorps members for the 2013-14 school year as part of its UNITE Service Corps (USC) initiative. These members serve 42 schools in 11 counties providing math tutoring and drug abuse prevention education, sponsor anti-drug UNITE Clubs, and recruit volunteers for school-based prevention programs.

HOPE Wall on display in Knott Co

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DSC_0009-KnottHINDMAN – Substance abuse addiction can be overcome.

The UNITE Hope Wall – on display in the Knott County Judicial Center through Friday, January 31 – celebrates a person’s ability to overcome an addiction and gives others struggling through a loved one’s addiction hope to reclaim their lives.

“It’s so wonderful to visually see these success stories,” said Judge Kim Childers, of the 36th Judicial Circuit. “I encourage everyone to come out and look at the wall and enjoy these life-changing stories. These pictures represent real individuals and families. It will encourage you.”

Unveiled last August, the Hope Wall demonstrates that addiction has no boundaries; all walks of life are affected. Approximately 150 individuals who are now in recovery and living clean and sober lives are pictured.”

“We hear so many stories about the negative outcomes from substance abuse – families torn apart; lives lost to drug overdoses,” said Dale Richardson, Knott County sheriff. “You can’t help but be touched by the faces and stories of the people pictured on this wall. If the Hope Wall will inspire even a few people to seek treatment, or provide encouragement to those in treatment or recovery, it will have made a tremendous impact.”

“A majority of people featured on the Hope Wall have received a UNITE Treatment Voucher to help them overcome a substance abuse addiction,” noted Dan Smoot, UNITE president/CEO. “These are people who may have otherwise continued down a destructive path of drugs.”

“More than 3,300 people – including 106 Knott County residents – have entered a substance abuse treatment program using a UNITE voucher since the initiative began in 2005,” Smoot said. “These individuals have been given an opportunity to reclaim their lives.”

Treatment vouchers for short-term or long-term residential treatment are available to low-income residents of the 32 counties served by UNITE across southern and eastern Kentucky. For more information call UNITE’s Treatment Help-Line at 1-866-908-6483.

Anyone who has been in recovery for at least 18 months is eligible to be featured on the wall.

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