Volunteers are making a difference

Sep 26, 2016

Each month, Operation UNITE provides an update on its efforts to combat substance abuse in its 32-county service area.

“Together with community volunteers and leaders, Operation UNITE is making strides to make sure we help our families and youth overcome the drug epidemic and prevent people from trying drugs at all,” UNITE President/CEO Nancy Hale said. “UNITE volunteers had a strong presence at back-to-school events throughout the service area to reach both adults and youth with prevention and education materials.”

Highlights from the monthly report include:

Investigations:

  • 63 tipline calls were received with 21,672 calls received since inception.

Drug Courts:

  • During August, there were 503 active participants in drug courts. Of those, 362 were employed and 116 were pursuing education.
  • The courts collected more than $8,950 in fines, restitution and court costs, along with more than $5,602 in child support in August. Since inception those totals are $1.36 million and $905,000, respectively.
  • There were 6,242 hours of community service completed in August.

Treatment:

  • Fourteen people entered treatment in August using a UNITE Treatment Voucher.
  • Since inception, 4,069 have entered treatment.

Education/UNITE Coalitions:
UNITE and its coalitions held a total of 115 activities in August. These activities included:

  • In Pulaski County, the coalition participated in the Back-to-School-Extravaganza at the Judicial Plaza, which drew more than 1,454 youth and 2,000 in total attendance.
  • In Bell County, Operation UNITE provided backpacks through the UNITE Bell Coalition at the Back to School Bash at Page School Center, where 273 youth and 156 adults participated.
  • In Breathitt County, stickers with a drug-free message were placed on the school supplies, and information about the Give Me a Reason Drug Prevention Initiative was distributed at the Wolfcoal Volunteer Fire Dept. Back to School Giveaway. There were 125 youth and 100 adults in attendance.
  • In Knox County, more than 450 people attended the Back to School Splash, which was sponsored by Knox UNITE and held at the Barbourville Water Park.