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Post by Press Release on Oct 18, 2012 18:46:42 GMT -5
UNITE’s “Pill Dragon”
UNITE’s “Pill Dragon,” a mobile incinerator made possible through a collaboration with the Kentucky Army National Guard and Eastern Kentucky PRIDE reached the million-pill milestone recently in Owsley County With 21,377 unused or out-of-date prescription and over-the-counter drugs collected in just two hours – bringing the total number of pills destroyed to 1,012,760 since the Pill Dragon was unveiled in August 2010. Standing with Owsley County’s new Medication Drop Box are, from left, Sheriff Kelly Shouse, Kentucky Senator Robert Stivers, Judge-Executive Ronnie DeBord, and U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers. Operation UNITE Photo
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Post by Press Release on Oct 30, 2012 16:07:37 GMT -5
Operation UNITE’s Service Corps initiative sets example of success Operation UNITE Press Release
Operation UNITE’s Service Corps initiative sets an example of success that should be replicated across America, according to the head of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “We need to share this as a model to other rural counties across the country,” said Wendy Spencer, executive officer of the Washington, D.C.-based organization that directs the AmeriCorps initiative. “This is really a regional way to address the problems. We need to get this story told.” Spencer’s comments came during a roundtable discussion with UNITE officials held at Highland Elementary School in Johnson County Monday, Oct. 29. “Schools in the past didn’t have to deal with these systemic problems (outside the classroom). We believe you are the implementation tool; the difference between what the principal and teachers can do,” Spencer said. “You’re giving these kids hope. We’re glad to be your partner.” “The biggest problem was not the pushers, or the treatment, but the … kids,” commented Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, who created Operation UNITE in 2003 to address the region’s prescription drug epidemic. “More kids were removed from homes in Johnson County in the past year than any other county in the state,” said Karen Kelly, director of UNITE, citing stats from the Department of Community-Based Services. “Drugs account for 94 percent of these removals.” “These kids need somebody,” Kelly said. “That’s why the UNITE Service Corps initiative is so important.” “It’s been a great difference maker in our schools,” commented Steve Whitaker, assistant superintendent of the Johnson County School System. “Drugs are in the homes. This is another way to help that situation. (AmeriCorps allows students) to have an understanding about drugs and to have someone to talk to when they see something happening.” “There are so many advantages to having these people here,” agreed Highland Principal Thom Cochran. “It’s amazing how many kids have no positive role models outside of the school. We have them for six and a half hours. You don’t know what they go home to.” From 2004 through 2010 UNITE provided funding for in-school substance abuse counselors to provide anti-drug education and intervention services for youth and their families. At its peak, 35 counselors served 44 school systems. “This initiative was really having a positive impact,” Kelly said. “Unfortunately, this effort became a victim of cuts in federal funding.” “The AmeriCorps program has replenished the supply of good people to go into the schools,” Rogers told CNCS’s Spencer. “You are a life saver.” UNITE currently employs 44 full-time AmeriCorps members in 11 counties through its UNITE Service Corps. Service Corps members teach the “Too Good for Drugs” and “Healthy Futures/Take 10” wellness curriculums, provide tutoring in math – with a resulting 36 percent increase in test scores for students served during the 2011-12 school year – coordinate anti-drug UNITE Clubs at each location, recruit volunteers for school prevention activities, and provide thousands of hours of volunteer service annually. For the past two year the UNITE Service Corps initiative has been honored with the “Governor’s Citation” for its excellent leadership and service by the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (KCCVS). “The UNITE Service Corps holds a special place in my heart,” commented KCCVS Executive Director Eileen Cackowski. Several current and former AmeriCorps members spoke about the program’s value. “It opened my eyes to see what students go through, not just here at school but in their home life,” said former member Ashley Conley. “You get to teach them, advocate for them, and be there for them.” Eugene Newsome, Service Corps manager, noted that 4,751 disadvantaged youth were served between 2010-12. Of these, 862 youth had at least one parent incarcerated. “The word ‘UNITE’ is associated with ‘help’,” noted Amy Chapman, a Service Corps member serving Central Elementary. Anna Burton, a Service Corps member at Meade Elementary, noted that the lessons taught with the “Too Good For Drugs” curriculum proved invaluable to the school’s Future Problem Solving team, which placed in international competition. “These kids had to use what we taught them and apply them” in their presentation, she said. Former member George Salyers stressed the value of the community service component, noting the outpouring of support in the wake of the March tornadoes. Over the past two years, Service Corps members have recruited 2,169 volunteers who provided 17,621 volunteer hours to their communities. “You apply your skills that you learned in college every day,” said former member Tiffany Doderer, noting that experience helped her land a job in the classroom. Earlier in the day, the school’s K-6 students were treated to an anti-drug program by Remix Education Entertainment. “When you get tempted by a so-called friend (to use drugs) I want you to say, ‘Thank you, but I’m not interested’,” Rogers told the youth. “You can be whatever you want to be, but you gotta be drug-free.”
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Post by Press Release on Oct 31, 2012 15:57:38 GMT -5
Bi-partisan support for efforts to curb prescription drug abuse Operation UNITE Press Release
State leaders joined Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers in pledging strong, bi-partisan support of efforts to curb prescription drug abuse during a forum held Monday night at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. More than 400 people attended the Bluegrass Policy Forum on Substance Abuse, held at the Wilkinson-Stumbo Conference Center, to learn about current anti-drug efforts and what more needs to be accomplished. The forum raised more than $75,000 for treatment/recovery and prevention efforts of Operation UNITE and the Recovery Kentucky program. “This translates into hope and opportunity,” said Karen Kelly, director of UNITE. Participating in the forum were Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, House Speaker Greg Stumbo, Senate Majority Floor Leader Robert Stivers, House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, and Senator Judiciary Committee Member Brandon Smith. The program was moderated by Kentucky Educational Television’s Renee Shaw. “We have got more people dying of prescription drug overdoses than car wrecks,” said Rogers. “It doesn’t seem to me the public is alarmed enough about the problem.” Rogers, chair of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, praised UNITE for its leadership in leading discussion on a national level, and thanked the governor and legislators for providing state funding in the wake of federal cutbacks. A main topic of conversation revolved around House Bill 1, passed during the last General Assembly session, which toughened reporting and licensing requirements. “House Bill 1 is working, and it’s working very rapidly,” said Gov. Steve Beshear, noting 10 pain management clinics have already gone out of business “because they don’t want to comply” with the regulations and the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure has disciplined 33 doctors in the past six months. “The few bad apples are starting to be eliminated,” Beshear said. Beshear also noted that the number of accounts utilizing the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting (KASPER) system has tripled with medical prescribers requesting nearly 20,000 reports per day – with about 90 percent being answered “in less than 15 seconds.” While drug use in Kentucky is dropping, it is still at unacceptable levels. Beshear said last year there were 219 million doses of Hydrocodone prescribed in the state. “That is 51 doses for every man, woman and child living in Kentucky.” Regarding criticism that the new legislation might be putting unnecessary burdens on doctors and hindering proper patient care, Beshear was steadfast. “Any legitimate doctor has nothing to fear,” Beshear added. “The doctors themselves wrote the legislation.” Each of the panel members acknowledged that there are a few areas of the bill that may need to be “tweaked,” but Beshear was adamant that “we are not going back to where we had a prescription drug playground.” Stivers said lawmakers need to “forget the political consequences” when crafting reasonable solutions. “Not on my watch are we going to regress to where we were,” he said. “Parts of (House Bill 1) may be a nuisance, but it is essential to protect the citizens,” Stumbo agreed. “It will take constant vigil.” There was also consensus on the holistic approach to substance abuse – arresting dealers, providing treatment, helping in recovery, and educating the public – especially youth, who are the “unintended victims” of drug use. Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear, who sits on the board for Recovery Kentucky, said our prescription drug epidemic was “worse than most other states.” She noted that Kentucky has a higher incidence of drug use than the U.S. average “for every single age group. “These statistics are shocking and disheartening,” Mrs. Beshear said. “People are looking for help.” The forum also included the presentation of a $100,000 check to UNITE from Kentucky River Properties. This was the fourth installment of a five-year pledge, targeted to treatment vouchers and Drug Court programs in the region.
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Post by Press Release on Nov 9, 2012 18:04:44 GMT -5
$100,000 donated for treatment Operation UNITE Press Release
Residents of four Kentucky River-area counties will continue to receive help obtaining substance abuse treatment because of the concern of a local corporation. Kentucky River Properties, LLC, was recognized for their philanthropic gift to the UNITE Foundation during the recent Bluegrass Forum on Substance Abuse held at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. Company officials presented its fourth $100,000 check to UNITE in a ceremony featuring U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, Gov. Steve Beshear, and top legislative leaders. “A few years ago our team spent considerable time researching ideas on how to spend our contribution dollars where they would have the most impact in fighting the effects of illegal drugs, and concluded that Operation UNITE was the best answer,” said Fred N. Parker, president of Kentucky River Properties. “We are proud to support them in any way we can.” The funding – part of a five-year, $500,000 pledge – will be used to provide treatment vouchers to low-income residents of Perry, Knott, Leslie and Letcher counties. In addition, a portion of the money is used to support Drug Court programs in each of these counties. “Each year since making our pledge we’ve learned more about the positive impact the program is having on people who have been battling the vicious effects of drug addiction,” Parker stated. “We’ve heard the testimony of many people whose lives had been devastated but, because of Operation UNITE, have been able to escape the grip of addiction.” Over the past three years, 68 people from the four target counties have entered a treatment program using KRP’s funding, said Karen Kelly, director of UNITE. For those who qualify, UNITE treatment vouchers pay up to $3,000 for short-term treatment (up to 89 days) or up to $5,000 for long-term treatment (90 days or more). UNITE’s treatment team responds to more than 1,200 calls per month on its toll-free treatment line (1-866-908-6483) from individuals seeking help with an addiction-related issue, Kelly said. “Many of our calls are from individuals seeking to enter a treatment program for their addiction but don’t have the financial resources,” Kelly said, adding there is often a waiting list for available treatment bed space. “Because Kentucky River Properties recognizes this need, and made a commitment to help out, the wait is virtually eliminated in Perry, Knott, Leslie and Letcher counties.” Kentucky’s Drug Court programs have faced sharp funding cuts over the past year or two. “Thanks to Kentucky River Properties, we are able to provide Drug Court participants assistance in meeting basic one-time needs,” Kelly said. “The recovery process is not easy, and this extra help often makes the difference in whether or not an addict graduates and ultimately gets their lifestyle straightened out.” Kentucky River Properties is a land company formed in 2001 after a restructuring of its parent company, Kentucky River Coal Corporation.
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Post by Press Release on Nov 12, 2012 18:35:11 GMT -5
Member of Operation UNITE’s Drug Task Force named Deputy of the Year Operation UNITE Press Release
James Botts, a long-time member of Operation UNITE’s Drug Task Force, was named Deputy of the Year by the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association earlier this fall. Botts, who works through the Menifee County Sheriff’s Office, was honored for his humanitarian efforts following the devastating March 2 tornado outbreak. “This young man stands out as a man who went above and beyond the call of duty,” Menifee County Judge-Executive James D. Trimble wrote in a letter of nomination. During the first week after a Category 4 tornado tore through Menifee County, Botts worked 16-hour days helping with rescue, body recovery and security check point efforts. “Then Deputy Botts laid his gun down and picked up a hammer for the next month, 12 hours a day, coordinating efforts with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), church groups, and volunteers all over the nation that were coming in for the cleanup and rebuilding stages for our county,” said Sheriff Rodney L. Coffey. Botts took it upon himself to compile a list of all residences that were affected “to make sure the resources got to the neediest,” and was placed on the Menifee County Disaster Recovery Committee and the Habitat for Humanity Committee. “He personally supervised and coordinated volunteers on over 25 different projects from cleaning up debris and … oversaw two complete homes rebuilt by donated money and volunteer labor,” Coffey said, noting he was working on two other homes at the time of the nomination. Even after returning to work, Botts continued to volunteer up to 20 hours per week on coordinating relief projects. “Deputy Botts has always understood the true spirit of the office of Sheriff and investing in your community,” Coffey said. “I have always been very proud of Deputy Botts, but the display of dedication and compassion that he showed in this disaster far exceeds any expectations that you would have on any law enforcement officer.” The award was presented September 20 at the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association annual conference in Louisville. Going above and beyond expectations has been a hallmark for Botts, whose concern for the growing drug problem led him to a law enforcement career more than 11 years ago. “He stated that most of the kids he had graduated with were on drugs and wanted to make a difference in our community,” said Coffey, who made Botts a Reserve Deputy, and within a year promoted him to Deputy. In 2003, Botts’ “initiative to make a difference” resulted in his being named Menifee County Deputy of the Year and he received the Governor’s Driving Enforcement Award. The following year, Botts approached Coffey about being assigned to the new UNITE Drug Task Force. “He felt like he could make a bigger impact on the increasing drug problem by working full time with this task force,” the sheriff noted. After Hurricane Katrina lashed the Gulf Coast in 2005, Botts was one of six deputies who took vacation time to volunteer to help a fellow sheriff’s office in Jackson County, Mississippi. Upon their return from the 10-day relief effort, Botts was recognized along with others with a Meritorious Service Citation and Senate Recognition. Botts was recognized as Detective of the Year for Operation UNITE in 2006 for his outstanding achievements in drug enforcement efforts throughout Eastern Kentucky. In 2010, Botts was one of two detectives assigned to the state’s newly created Prescription Drug Task Force. He worked with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation to stop the prescription pill pipeline from clinics in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was promoted to Area Supervisor for UNITE in 2011. Over the years, Botts has worked with the Sheriff’s Military Camp, Kentucky Sheriff’s Association Boys & Girls Ranch, Camp UNITE, the Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs mentoring program, “Say Boo To Drugs” program, was chairman of Worship in the Wilderness Committee, and coordinated yearly youth concerts in the Menifee County. “Deputy Botts is that rare breed of police officer who needs little supervision, and through self-motivation continues to investigate drug crimes in the area he serves with a passion,” said Dan Smoot, Vice President and Law Enforcement Director for UNITE. “He continually strives to make a difference through his work, not only in law enforcement but by his participation in the treatment and education components.”
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Post by Press Release on Nov 15, 2012 18:38:04 GMT -5
Training for disasters Operation UNITE Press Release
Tornados, floods … and now earthquakes. Disasters can strike Kentucky communities at any time, and it is important to have trained individuals in place to facilitate rescue and recovery efforts. With this in mind, each of Operation UNITE’s 44 Service Corps (AmeriCorps) members will receive disaster response certification training classes over the next few months. The first training on “Damage Assessment” will be held from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 19, at the Pikeville Fire Department’s Regional Training Center. Additional training certification classes are planned on “Incident Management” and “Emergency Communications.” “When (the Service Corps members) complete these classes, they can go to their county emergency managers and become part of the disaster teams so they can go to work in a disaster situation,” said Doug Tackett, emergency management and 911 director for Pike County. “They’re going to know what needs to be done and how to get started.” Monday’s training class will be led by Chris Hecker, Region 8 response manager for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management. “AmeriCorps is a community-service organization,” noted Eugene Newsome, director of UNITE’s Service Corps program. “After the March tornado outbreak our members stepped in to help. It just made sense for us to take this next step so we could be ready with certified and trained individuals whenever we are needed.” In March, Service Corps members provided more than 1,200 hours of volunteer service to the effected communities, Newsome said, noting one member helped with search and rescue, another manned a temporary shelter for victims, and many others coordinated drop-off centers and distribution of relief supplies. “When a disaster hits they need people to be on the ground right away that have knowledge of what needs to be done first,” Newsome said. “Because of our widespread coverage – Service Corps members serve schools in 10 counties – we are positioned to step in and help right away.” The tornado wasn’t the first time UNITE and its community coalitions have assisted with natural disasters, said Karen Kelly, director of UNITE. “We were on the ground and coordinating relief supplies within hours of the flash flooding that struck Pike County in July 2010.” Kentucky Emergency Management regions have the responsibility to carry out the coordination of information and resources within the region and between the state and regional levels to ensure effective and efficient support to local response. Each of the state’s 11 regions serve as the conduit for local and regional perspective and provide a physical presence for Kentucky Emergency Management functions at the local level in all phases of Emergency Management. For more information about Kentucky’s Division of Emergency Management visit their website at: www.kyem.ky.gov
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Post by Press Release on Dec 4, 2012 19:53:45 GMT -5
Food drive feeds 41,255 people Operation UNITE Press Release
Southern and Eastern Kentucky residents opened their hearts to help make the recent Thanksgiving holiday a bit brighter for many struggling families. More than 10.3 tons of food was collected in food drives conducted by UNITE Service Corps (AmeriCorps) members and student members of school UNITE Clubs as part of the annual “Make A Difference Day.” “This is the highest total in our food drive project history,” said Eugene Newsome, director of the UNITE Service Corps initiative. “I am amazed at the response from every community and am very proud of effort our Service Corps members and UNITE Club students put into this project.” Collected food – enough to feed 41,255 people in need an 8-ounce serving – was donated to Family Resource and Youth Service Centers, community charitable groups and/or church pantries in the communities where the food was collected. Newsome said that Majestic Elementary in Pike County, a school with just 147 students, collected enough food to give every child’s family a food basket that included a turkey. UNITE’s Service Corps finished fourth among Kentucky’s AmeriCorps programs in a competition sponsored by the Kentucky Commission on Community and Volunteer Service (KCCVS), but that was with only 54 percent of the food collected counted. “The competition officially ended on the fourth Saturday of October,” Newsome noted. “Many of our schools continued their food collection drives until the week of Thanksgiving.” Make A Difference Day, created by USA Weekend magazine, is one of the most widely observed national days of helping – a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors in which everyone can participate. The goal of Make A Difference Day is to inspire and encourage local residents to participate in community service projects. Large or small, as individuals or in groups, one-day or ongoing – the nature of the service isn’t as important as simply giving your time, effort, resources, skills or support to make a difference in the lives of people in your community.
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Post by Press Release on Dec 24, 2012 12:41:16 GMT -5
ChalleNGe Academy seek at risk teenagers Operation UNITE Press Release
If you are looking for a life-changing experience outside of a traditional education setting, the National Guard’s Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy (ACA) might be a good option. The ACA program is offered free for youth between the ages of 16 and 18 who may be working to overcome problems in their lives. In addition to providing an education alternative, the course is designed to instill the same skills, values and self-discipline necessary to succeed in today’s society. The ACA is structured around a military concept that includes a focus on discipline, integrity, teamwork, physical fitness and community service. Applications are currently being accepted for the next class, which begins Sunday, January 13, 2013 with graduation on June 15. “Operation UNITE believes the ACA program services the needs of many young people in our region,” said Dan Smoot, vice president and law enforcement director. “We are happy to partner with the National Guard in spreading the word about the many benefits of this alternative educational program.” “If you have dropped out of school for whatever reason, the ACA will help get your life back on track,” Smoot continued. “It helps participants to recover credits, obtain their GEDs or even return to school.” The Challenge Program began in 15 states in July 1993, and has operated in Kentucky since July 1999. The ACA began changing the lives of young people in July 2012. For more information or to obtain an application, contact the Academy Admissions Office by calling toll-free 1-855-596-4927, send an e-mail to: dessa.c.raleigh@us.army.milor visiting their website at: ngycp.org
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Post by Press Release on Jan 10, 2013 18:10:40 GMT -5
Mary C. Colvin
KEMI officer joins UNITE Board Operation UNITE Press Release
Mary C. Colvin, chief operating officer for Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI), is the newest member of Operation UNITE’s Board of Directors. Colvin’s appointment to the board began in December. Her tenure will expire in 2015. “Mary Colvin will be a great addition to our UNITE Board,” said Lonnie Anderson, board chair. “Her employer, KEMI, provides workers’ compensation insurance for more than 20,000 businesses in Kentucky,” noted Anderson, retired Whitley County Schools superintendent. “Mary will bring to our board valuable experience and insight regarding protecting injured workers from prescription drug addiction, a problem that has reached near epidemic proportions.” KEMI, based in Lexington, is the largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Kentucky with more than 21,000 policyholders. “I look forward to serving on UNITE’s board,” Colvin stated. “KEMI strongly believes that being proactive in the fight against prescription drug abuse will save lives in addition to helping protect workers from the dangers of drug abuse and misuse.” In addition to Anderson, other members of UNITE’s Board include retired Commonwealth Attorney Tom Handy; Lt. Col. Jack Miniard, director of Operations for Kentucky State Police Special Enforcement; Connie Payne, executive officer for Kentucky Drug Court; Bob Mitchell, retired district director for Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers; Stacey Sheppard; 27th District Commonwealth Attorney Jackie Steele; and Darrell Wages, parts manager for Whayne Supply Company. Since joining KEMI in 1996 Colvin has held a variety of management level positions. As chief operating officer, she manages several departments – including Underwriting, Claims, and Field Services. Colvin received a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky in 1988 and earned the designation as a Certified Public Accountant in 1996. She obtained her Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2006. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants. A native of Campbellsville, Colvin currently resides in Lexington with her family.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 17, 2013 20:47:07 GMT -5
Amy Yates
Yates new Treatment Director
Operation UNITE is pleased to announce that Rockcastle County resident Amy Yates has been named its new Treatment Director. “Amy brings a strong background to the UNITE team,” said Karen Kelly, director of UNITE. “Her skills, enthusiasm and deeply-felt concern to help others made her a perfect candidate for this very demanding position.” Yates will oversee UNITE’s four-person Treatment Team, which provides assistance to individuals seeking help with a substance abuse addiction-related issue. Those services include: * Responding to requests made through the toll-free Treatment Referral Line (1-866-908-6483). Currently the team fields approximately 1,200 calls per month. * Administering the UNITE Treatment Voucher Program. Low-income residents residing in the Fifth Congressional District who suffer from substance abuse issues can receive financial assistance to obtain short-term and long-term residential treatment. * Contracting with and monitoring residential treatment facilities to ensure quality treatment for a substance abuse addiction. Currently UNITE contracts with 20 treatment facilities in Kentucky and other states. UNITE helped create two residential facilities in the Fifth District – the Chad’s Hope Teen Challenge Center in Clay County and the WestCare Hal Rogers Appalachian Recovery Center in Pike County. * Assisting UNITE Coalitions and Kentucky Drug Courts in providing after-care for an addiction once a person leaves a treatment facility. * Providing community education presentations about substance abuse, addiction and treatment. “I am proud and excited to be a part of the UNITE team,” Yates said. “I have always admired and supported its mission and look forward to serving individuals in each of the 32 counties served by UNITE.” Prior to joining UNITE Yates was employed by the Department for Community-Based Services in Rockcastle County. She began in 1999 as a social services worker and was promoted to family services office supervisor in January 2010. In this position she was responsible for assigning cases and providing case supervision to investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect, provide on-going case management to children in foster care and families who were at high risk for abuse and/or neglect, attending court hearings, monitoring expenses of the department, and supervision and evaluation of employees. Yates is a 1993 graduate of Rockcastle County High School. She obtained a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Arts in mental health counseling from Eastern Kentucky University. Yates is married to Kentucky State Police Lt. John Yates who works at the London Post. The couple has two children, 10-year-old Laurel and 5-year-old Sawyer, both students at Brodhead Elementary School.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 31, 2013 22:24:08 GMT -5
Jury convicts head of drug ring Operation UNITE Press Release
A federal jury has convicted a Magoffin County man on charges he masterminded a multi-million drug trafficking network. Howard Harlo Back, 76, of the Lick Branch Community off KY 378, was found guilty Wednesday, January 30, on one count of conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone and 12 counts of distribution of Oxycodone after a three-day trial held in U.S. District Court in Pikeville. Four other individuals involved in the conspiracy – 27-year-old Jeff Bailey, 51-year-old Matt Bailey Sr., 29-year-old Matt Bailey Jr., and 45-year-old Donald “Donnie” Trusty, all of Magoffin County – had previously pleaded guilty to their part in the operation and testified against Back. It took the jury less than two hours to return the verdict. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Dotson. All five men are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amul Thapar on May 8, 2013. Back was arrested on federal drug conspiracy charges March 16, 2012, following a joint investigation conducted by the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Operation UNITE. “At the time of his arrest, Mr. Back was returning from Florida with approximately 140 Oxycodone tablets intended for sale in Magoffin County,” said Keith Napier, manager of UNITE’s Big Sandy Drug Task Force. “The other four individuals were arrested a short time later.” “Residents have reported that they have noticed a sharp decline in the availability of Oxycodone in Magoffin County since we made the arrests,” Napier added. “This joint investigation has taken a major dealer off the streets.” Magoffin County Sheriff Carson Montgomery helped lead the 14-month undercover investigation that began after police began receiving “a lot of reports of drug trafficking from multiple residents” in the Lick Branch area, Napier said. “We were able to establish that this was a very highly organized distribution network and Mr. Back was the central figure.” Sheriff Montgomery, UNITE detectives and DEA agents conducted 13 controlled purchases of Oxycodone pills, all of which are believed to have been obtained in Florida. “Conservatively, we know Mr. Back is responsible for more than 38,000 pills being brought to Magoffin County from Florida over the course of our investigation,” Napier said. “With a street value of between $35 and $40 per pill, this quantity would have been worth approximately $1.5 million.” A search warrant served at Back’s home on February 29, 2012, by Sheriff Montgomery, UNITE, the DEA and Kentucky State Police resulted in the seizure of a quantity of pills from Florida and other items related to the drug trafficking operation. Back is no stranger to the legal system. In 1991 he was sentenced on a manslaughter conviction and in 2004 he was sentenced on solicitation to murder and facilitation of arson charges. Both cases were in Magoffin County. Back is currently being held at the Pike County Detention Center.
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Post by Press Release on Feb 7, 2013 17:25:53 GMT -5
Rogers awarded for fighting drug abuse Operation UNITE Press Release
On Wednesday, February 6, 2013, U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) received the Congressional Leadership Award from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) for his unwavering commitment to keeping America’s youth drug and alcohol free. Rogers was joined by Senator Bob Casey, U.S. Reps Michael Fitzpatrick and Frank Wolf in receiving this honor for their work in helping to strengthen drug prevention and treatment programs across the country. “In Kentucky, we’ve been fighting the prescription drug abuse battle for over a decade now. When we were making impressive strides in moving Appalachia forward, seemingly out of nowhere, pain pills and pain clinics started showing up and began destroying families and home lives and creating a sense of despair throughout the region,” stated Rogers. “So we went to work in southern eastern Kentucky to tackle the problem from the top-down and from the bottom-up.” “Through programs like Operation UNITE, we got after the drug pushers, got our users help, and got our kids hooked on fishing, shooting hoops and committing to drug-free lifestyles. While much work still lies ahead, I am confident that through the support of organizations like CADCA, we can change the drug culture and make it possible for others to overcome this life-destroying addiction.” CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America), is the national membership organization representing over 5,000 coalitions and affiliates working to make America’s communities safe, healthy and drug-free. CADCA’s mission is to strengthen the capacity of community coalitions to create and maintain safe, healthy and drug-free communities globally. CADCA’s Congressional Leadership Award recognizes outstanding members of Congress who have championed legislation and strategies to protect and enhance the federal role in substance abuse prevention, education, treatment and research. Rogers joined with former Representative Mary Bono Mack to form the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse in 2009. 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.
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Post by Press Release on Feb 13, 2013 17:59:02 GMT -5
The Highway to Heroin Operation UNITE Press Release
“The Highway to Heroin,” a FREE, public domain video program available as a C-Satellite Downlink and as an on-demand webcast, will air from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2013. The push to close pill mills and reduce the painkiller supply is creating a new problem. Opiate addicts need their fix, so when they can’t easily get their pills to pop, they’re often turning to heroin. In communities that are cracking down on pill mills and doctor shopping, heroin-related deaths are increasing. Experts warn that if heroin use isn’t increasing in your area yet, it’s just a matter of time. During this hour-long program, “The Highway to Heroin” hear how communities are dealing with two serious drug problems at the same time. Learn how to prepare for an influx of heroin. See how partners in the Cleveland, Ohio area are working together to stop opiate abuse. Key Concepts •Learn the link between prescription painkillers and heroin •Find out how to prepare your community for an increase in heroin use •Hear what prevention strategies work best to educate about opiates Content Providers
Marc J. Fishman, M.D., Addiction Psychiatrist Faculty, John Hopins University School of Medicine Marc Fishman, M.D. is the medical director of Maryland Treatment Centers, a regional behavioral healthcare provider, which offers programs for residential and outpatient His academic work has focused on models of care and treatment outcomes for addictions in youth, in particular opioid dependence. Fishman is the immediate Past President of the Maryland Society of Addiction Medicine.
Lisa Roberts, R.N., Portsmouth City Health Department, Portsmouth, Ohio Lisa Roberts, R.N. is a Registered Nurse and Health Educator who has been employed at the Portsmouth City Health Department as a Public Health Nurse since 1989. She has worked extensively in the area of drug abuse prevention and has piloted a project that addresses unintentional drug overdoses and initiated Ohio’s first community-based opioid overdose reversal program using the drug naloxone. Roberts helped form the Scioto County Drug Action Team Alliance in January 2010 in response to a declared public health emergency due to prescription drug abuse in Scioto County. The coalition was awarded a Drug Free Communities Support Program Grant from ONDCP in 2012.
Harold Rochon, Lieutenant, Detroit Police Department Harold M. Rochon is currently the Commanding Officer in Charge of the Detroit Police Narcotics Division. Rochon began his law enforcement career in 1985 and began investigating gang and drug organizations shortly after. Over the years, he has been an instructor for several local, state and federal organizations and has written several gang prevention manuals and books. Rochon earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Anderson College in Michigan. He is certified by the US Department of Justice for instruction. Target Audiences The primary target audience for this pre-recorded program is anyone interested in learning about the similarities between prescription opiates and heroin and why cracking down on one could create an increase in demand for the other. Health care professionals, counselors, therapists, preventionists, coalition leaders, parents, teachers and law enforcement officials will benefit from watching this program. This program is also suitable for public access television audiences. Sponsors This program is sponsored by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and is produced by the Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training Program (MCTFT), a division of the Center for Public Safety Innovation at St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Additional sponsorship is also provided by the Florida National Guard. Availability These programs are available via satellite over C band and the DOD/DETN satellite networks, private network carriers and selected community cable access stations. They are also available as an on-demand webcast via the internet for those without satellite access. Click here to register. www.dlnets.com/MCTFT2nd.htm
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Post by Press Release on Apr 12, 2013 15:55:28 GMT -5
Rogers Applauds Efforts of UNITE at National Rx Drug Abuse Summit Congressman Hal Rogers Press Release
On April 10, 2013, U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives applauding the efforts of the 2nd National Rx Drug Abuse Summit, hosted by Operation UNITE, in Orlando, Florida last week. Headliners included U.S. Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske; Dr. Margaret "Peggy" Hamburg, Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA); U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm (NY-11); U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster (FL-10); and U.S. Rep. Bill Keating (MA-09). “Last week, I had the great honor and pleasure of helping host, in Orlando, Florida, a drug summit on prescription drug abuse,” said Rogers, co-founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse. “Almost 1,000 people from 49 states and several foreign countries, focusing on the problem. That’s the second year we’ve done that.”
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Post by Press Release on May 2, 2013 4:17:27 GMT -5
1,200 lbs of drugs collected in UNITE region Operation UNITE Press Release
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. UPDATE: 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. More than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of pills were collected in the first five DEA Take-Back Days. National total’s from this year’s event were not available as of Monday evening.
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Post by Press Release on May 2, 2013 4:19:21 GMT -5
Dan Smoot to replace Kelly as UNITE CEO Operation UNITE Press Release
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. The 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.
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Post by Press Release on May 21, 2013 10:12:37 GMT -5
UNITE basketball camps will be held at Leslie County Operation UNITE Press Release
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.
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Post by Press Release on Jun 4, 2013 7:47:56 GMT -5
Babies ‘collateral damage’ of drug abuse Operation UNITE Press Release
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.”
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Post by Press Release on Jul 20, 2013 11:50:28 GMT -5
Heroin moving into region Operation UNITE Press Release
As new laws make it increasingly more difficult to obtain painkillers, drug users are beginning to turn toward heroin for their high. While northern Kentucky and major cities, such as Lexington, are struggling to get a handle on problems related to this new drug of choice, most southern and eastern Kentucky counties are just beginning to see heroin crop into their area. The most recent example came on July 9, when Operation UNITE arrested a known prescription drug trafficker as he attempted to bring a large quantity of heroin into Beattyville. The arrest was part of a joint investigation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration office in London, Beattyville Police Department, Lee County Sheriff Wendell Childers, and the Kentucky State Police Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (commonly known as the KVE). Emmanuel Lee Wilson Jr., 40, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance after he was found to be hauling approximately four ounces of heroin to be sold in Lee County. “For Eastern Kentucky that’s a pretty good amount,” said Paul Hays, law enforcement director for UNITE. “It’s showing heroin is working this way and we had better be prepared.” Earlier this month, Lexington created a task force to address a sharp rise in overdose deaths caused from heroin. In the first six months of 2013 there were 28 heroin overdose deaths, six more than in all of 2012 and more than five times as many as two years ago, according to a report in the Lexington Herald-Leader. Heroin is becoming more popular because it is currently cheaper and easier to get than opioid medications such as Oxycodone following a crackdown on prescription painkillers in 2012. Although heroin can be less expensive than its prescription drug counterparts, it also comes with added risk, officials say. “You don’t know the purity of the heroin,” Hays said. “Dealers will often ‘cut’ the drug with other substances in order to boost their profits. There’s no way the public knows what they’re shooting up.” If a person switches between suppliers, they could inject a stronger dose without knowing it, leading to an overdose, he added. Kentucky’s Administrative Office of the Courts reports that there were 921 cases containing some type of heroin charge in circuit courts in 2012, up from 456 in 2011. In district court, there were 1,784 cases in 2012, up from 679 in 2011. Wilson appeared for a preliminary hearing before Lee County District Court Judge William “Bo” Leach on July 16. He remains lodged at Three Forks Regional Jail under a $250,000 cash bond. UNITE officials said the investigation is continuing and that the case will be presented to a federal grand jury because of the amount of heroin seized during the arrest.
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Post by Press Release on Jul 20, 2013 11:51:18 GMT -5
Rogers to Attend Camp UNITE Operation UNITE Press Release
Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers will attend the closing ceremonies of Camp UNITE on Friday, July 26, 2013 on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Rogers helped launch the non-profit, anti-drug organization Operation UNITE that will host the 7th annual camp July 23-26 for students entering 7th-9th grades. More than 240 students from 25 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky are registered for this year's camp that focuses on drug-free leadership and adventure. "Camp UNITE is a great opportunity for students from all walks of life to have fun and share their concerns for the drug problem in their homes, schools and communities. It's heartbreaking to think they are already so aware of the effects of drug abuse, but it gives Operation UNITE a chance to educate these middle school students and support them now," said Rogers. "Thanks to private sponsors, Camp UNITE has been free for every student for seven years. I applaud the staff of UNITE, but also all of the high school and college-age camp counselors who dedicate this week every summer to mentor these young campers." UNITE decided to host the camp for middle school students after a survey of those receiving free UNITE treatment vouchers revealed the average age of first-time drug use was age eleven. Campers will experience 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 Wiliamsburg. Recovering drug addicts will share their testimonies and students will hear from motivational speakers. "Many of the campers have been with us every year, and then continue to serve as camp counselors and volunteers as they grow up. It has really become a family atmosphere at Camp UNITE and these students continue to stay in contact with one another through-out the year, helping each other through challenging peer pressure issues at school and family-related drug problems at home," said Dan Smoot, President and CEO of Operation UNITE. "We have a lot of fun, with very little sleep, and at the end of the week most of the kids don't want to leave. That's how we know we're on the right track. We're so thankful to all of the organizations and businesses who make this amazing week possible every year." The theme for 2013 Camp UNITE is "Be a Hero." For more information about Camp UNITE call UNITE at 606-677-6179 or visit: www.operationunite.org
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Post by Press Release on Jul 26, 2013 16:42:39 GMT -5
Rogers Encourages UNITE Campers to 'Be a Hero' Operation UNITE Press Release
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.
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Post by Press Release on Aug 3, 2013 6:52:27 GMT -5
Dan Smoot
Operation UNITE CEO Dan Smoot to head KACP Operation UNITE Press Release
Operation UNITE President/CEO Dan Smoot will head the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police for the next year. Smoot was sworn in by 27th District Circuit Court Judge Thomas Jensen during the organization’s annual banquet on Wednesday, July 31. “It’s an honor and a pleasure to be able to work with law enforcement agencies across Kentucky,” Smoot said. “One of the themes of this year’s conference was cooperation among all police agencies, and participation at this year’s annual training conference is proof that we’re moving in the right direction.” The Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police (KACP) was formed in 1971 to secure official and personal cooperation among law enforcement executives and the citizens of Kentucky. The membership consists of more than 500 Kentucky law enforcement executives including police chiefs, sheriffs, state and federal law enforcement administrators and railroad police. The KACP is involved in many law enforcement programs to assist police chiefs, sheriffs and law enforcement executives. Their demanding accreditation program allows agencies to demonstrate they have met accepted standards for efficient and effective operations. This year’s conference, hosted by Operation UNITE, featured keynote presentations by U.S. Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer, Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway and U.S. District Judge Amul Thapar. Smoot is a 1982 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. That same year he entered the Kentucky State Police Academy. After graduating the academy, Mr. Smoot was assigned to Post 13 in Hazard, Kentucky, where he served for 22 years – 14 in the Narcotics Division. He has participated in more than 1,000 drug investigations and has been called to testify in both state and federal courts as a qualified expert in drug investigations. While with Kentucky State Police, Mr. Smoot received two Meritorious Service Awards, two Commissioner Commendations and was selected the 2002 State Wide Trooper of the Year. In November 2003, he was named the Director of Law Enforcement for Operation UNITE. Mr. Smoot presently serves as the 1st Vice President of the Kentucky Narcotics Officers Association and 1st Vice President of the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police. In September of 2011 he was named the Vice President of Operation UNITE where he oversaw the day-to-day operations. He was named President of the organization in May 2013.
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Post by Press Release on Aug 20, 2013 3:55:13 GMT -5
‘Hope Wall,’ education classroom unveiled Operation UNITE Press Release
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. Click below to view photos from the event: www.flickr.com/photos/uniteky/sets/72157635128898538“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.”
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Post by Press Release on Sept 9, 2013 18:45:03 GMT -5
Treatment initiative ‘a model’ Operation UNITE Press Release
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.” 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.”
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Post by Press Release on Nov 23, 2013 6:36:36 GMT -5
Leslie County drug roundup Operation UNITE Press Release
HYDEN – A father and son suspected of peddling drugs throughout Leslie County for nearly a decade were among those arrested Monday by Operation UNITE. John Ed Holland, 62, and Elbert Holland, 38, of Bear Branch in the Rockhouse community of Leslie County, also face additional charges after a large quantity of drugs and guns were found at their home. “We have been receiving complaints on the Hollands since the mid-2000s,” said Paul Hays, law enforcement director for UNITE. “It wasn’t until recently that we were able to get the breaks needed to make an arrest.” Arrest warrants for 18 individuals were issued for drug trafficking following an undercover investigation that spanned 11 months, Hays said, adding Leslie County Sheriff Paul Howard and his department were active partners from the very beginning. Most of the cases involved the sale of the prescription drugs Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and Methadone. In addition, police also discovered marijuana sales. Assisting UNITE detectives were officers from the Leslie County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, and a Leslie County constable. When police went to arrest the Hollands, they conducted a search of both the house of John Ed Holland, a convicted felon, and a family business housed in a garage on the property owned by his son. Police confiscated approximately 900 pills, more than 40 guns and a small amount of cash. Additional charges will be sought as a result of this discovery.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 25, 2014 11:42:08 GMT -5
Operation UNITE honored by Union College Operation UNITE Press Release
Operation UNITE was honored by Union College for its “civic responsibility” to the citizens of southern and eastern Kentucky – and the nation as a whole – during its Spring Convocation ceremony on Thursday, January 23. Union College President Dr. Marcia Hawkins presented the award. Accepting the award on behalf of UNITE was Dale Morton, communications director. Text of award: “Union College hereby honors and celebrates Operation UNITE in recognition of more than a decade of service to the citizens of southern and eastern Kentucky who are affected by the region’s sweeping prescription drug epidemic of its ability to harness the energy of our youth to promote awareness of substance abuse; of its tireless commitment to empower citizens through education, treatment and law enforcement initiatives; of its dedication to unite people throughout the nation in the quest for solutions that benefit society as a whole; and for demonstrating the highest level of civic responsibility, an essential facet of the Union College liberal education.”
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