Operation UNITE detectives, working closely with Lee Sheriff Wendell Childers, identified the high concentration of dealers in an area near the Breathitt County line.

“Sheriff Childers has been with UNITE on every case during the past eight months,” said Dan Smoot, deputy director of UNITE. “He is very concerned about the illegal drug trafficking taking place in his county and has facilitated our investigation.”

All but two of the cases involved the illegal sales of Percocet pills obtained from Florida, Smoot said, adding the other case involved the sale of Hydrocodone.

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, law enforcement officers from UNITE, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Beattyville Police Department, Kentucky State Police and the U.S. Marshal’s office set out to serve the arrest warrants.

As of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday 13 of the suspects had been charged. All but one person, who was served at the Perry County Detention Center, were taken to Three Forks Regional Jail after their arrest.

Arrested were:

• Josh Charles Angel, 24, Angel Drive, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Amanda Barker, 31, Coal Branch Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Ricky Barker, 32, Coal Branch Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Wally Bowman, 38, North Highway 708, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Laura Bryant, 41, Highland Turner Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Cathy Cole, 52, South Highway 11, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Brenda Couch, 54, Gilliam Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Charles Couch, 56, Gilliam Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Paul Moore, North Highway 708, Beattyville, trafficking in a simulated substance.

• Rosemary Noble, 35, West Highway 52, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Bridgett Turner, 48, Decorsey Road, Beattyville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• John Turner, 29, East Highway 52, Beattyville, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Tina Turner, 29, East Highway 52, Beattyville, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Police continue to search for the remaining six suspects.

Coalition leaders have launched a petition drive and will air a public service presentation on the local access TV channel during the next two weeks.

Nearly identical bills – SB-50 and HB-79 – are currently making their way through the state Senate and House chambers to require a prescription for most products containing pseudoephedrine – an ingredient in some cold and allergy medications.

A prescription would not be required for gel-cap versions of the medication under the proposed legislation, which impacts only 15 of the 152 options available to treat cold and allergy symptoms.

Meth lab response incidents across Kentucky were at an all-time record level of 1,171 in 2011, an increase of 8.4 percent over the previous year, with final statistics still being compiled by the Kentucky State Police.

Some legislators have called this crisis one of the “most important” of the 2012 General Assembly session because of its cost – not only in terms of the danger to children and others, but to the negative environmental and social impacts of meth labs.

A video produced by Jerry Burke explaining the problem using segments from an ABC News Nightline presentation filmed in Kentucky and the statewide “So Much Meth” campaign will be shown at 7 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 10 a.m. Saturday, on Newwave Channel 3 for the next two weeks.

A petition urging lawmakers to “return pseudoephedrine to a prescription drug” is currently being circulated throughout Rockcastle County. Citizens can obtain petitions at:

• Brodhead Elementary (see the UNITE Club advisor)
• Roundstone Elementary (see the UNITE Club advisor)
• Mt. Vernon Elementary (see the UNITE Club advisor)
• Rockcastle County Middle (see the UNITE Club advisor)
• Rockcastle County High (see the UNITE Club advisor)
• Mt. Vernon City Hall
• Rockcastle County Sheriff’s Office
• Rockcastle County Courthouse

Those unable to sign a petition are urged to leave a message for their representatives and committee members on the toll-free Legislative Message Line: 1-800-372-7181.

Rockcastle is represented by Rep. Danny Ford and Sen. Jared K. Carpenter.

SB-50 is sponsored by senators Tom Jensen, Ray S. Jones II, Joey Pendleton, Robert Stivers II and Johnny Ray Turner. HB-79 is sponsored by representatives Linda Belcher, Johnny Bell and Mary Lou Marzian.

Both bills are before the Judiciary Committees of their respective chambers and have been the subject of hearings where experts have touted the effectiveness of requiring a prescription for pseudoephedrine as a means to greatly reduce the number of dangerous methamphetamine labs.

Testimony included comments from officials in Mississippi and Oklahoma explaining why a prescription requirement is more effective than electronic sales tracking systems in stopping the proliferation of meth labs.

Senate Judiciary Committee members are: Jensen, Jones, Stivers, Katie Kratz Stine, Perry B. Clark, Carroll Gibson, Jerry P. Rhoads, John Schickel, Dan “Malano” Seum, Brandon Smith and Robin L. Webb.

House Judiciary Committee members are: Bell, Marzian, John Tilley, Joseph M. Fischer, Sara Beth Gregory, Darryl T. Owens, Brent Yonts, Jesse Crenshaw, Kelly Flood, Jeff Hoover, Joni L. Jenkins, Thomas Kerr, Stan Lee,, Michael J. Nemes, Tom Riner and Steven Rudy.

Additional testimony is expected before lawmakers vote on the issue.

The Senate Judiciary Committee meets regularly at 10 a.m. on Thursdays while the House Judiciary Committee meets regularly at noon on Wednesdays.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina M. Benjamin will address the need for major public health initiatives across many fields during the first National Rx Drug Abuse Summit in April.

“The negative impacts of substance abuse span a broad spectrum, including health care costs, public safety, economic development and social services. As ‘America’s Doctor,’ Dr. Benjamin is on the front-line of responding to this crisis,” said Karen Kelly, president/CEO of Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education), a Kentucky-based organization coordinating the event.

The Summit, which will be held in Florida April 10-12, 2012, is intended to foster better understanding and cooperation between a broad range of stakeholders – state and national leaders, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, community advocates, treatment experts, educators, private industry leaders, and others – who are finding success in battling this nationwide epidemic.

The National Prevention Strategy recognizes that good health comes not just from receiving quality medical care, but also from healthy homes, safe outdoor spaces, safe worksites, proper nutrition and physical activity.

“Every American family is impacted by prescription medication misuse and diversion. Our youth are especially vulnerable,” Kelly noted. “Dr. Benjamin, who is tasked with implementing prevention strategies, brings an expertise to the Summit that will help identify data-driven policies and solutions.”

Dr. Benjamin, the 18th Surgeon General of the United States, provides the public with the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and the health of the nation. She also oversees the operational command of 6,500 uniformed health officers who serve in locations around the world to promote and protect the health of the American people.

Dr. Benjamin is founder and former CEO of the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic in Alabama, former associate dean for rural health at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile, and past chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States.

She is a member of the National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She was a Kellogg National Fellow and a Rockefeller Next Generation Leader.

Dr. Benjamin has a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Xavier University, New Orleans; attended Morehouse School of Medicine; received her M.D. from the University of Alabama, Birmingham; and has an MBA from Tulane University. She has 15 honorary doctorates.

Joining Dr. Benjamin as a keynote presenter during the Summit will be:

• Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, one of the nation’s foremost experts on the neurological effects of drug addiction.

• R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), who has identified prescription drug abuse as a top priority for public health in the United States.

• Hon. Joseph T. Rannazzisi, deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Diversion Control in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), an expert in preventing, detecting and investigating the diversion of controlled pharmaceuticals.

R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), has identified prescription drug abuse as a top priority for public health in the United States.

“Mr. Kerlikowske is very aware of the devastating impacts of prescription drug abuse and diversion,” said Karen Kelly, president/CEO of Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education), a Kentucky-based organization coordinating the event. “The Prevention Plan unveiled last year by the ONDCP recognizes the need to take a balanced approach between education, monitoring, proper disposal and enforcement efforts.”

The Summit, which will be held in Florida April 10-12, 2012, is intended to foster better understanding and cooperation between all groups – state and national leaders, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, community advocates, treatment experts, educators, private industry leaders, and others – who are finding success in battling this nationwide epidemic.

“Diversion of prescription medications from their legitimate medical uses impacts every American, not only through the devastating personal toll exacted on individuals and their families, but on an economic level as well,” Kelly stated. “This Summit encourages proactive dialogue with national experts to identify data-driven policies and solutions.”

Prior to his confirmation, Kerlikowske served as deputy director for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, and was police commissioner of Buffalo, New York. Most of his law enforcement career was served in the St. Petersburg Police Department in Florida.

He was twice elected to be president of the Major Cities Chiefs, which is comprised of the largest city and county law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada, and was also elected president of the Police Executive Research Forum.

In 2011, Kerlikowske received the American Medical Association’s Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service.

Joining Kerlikowske as a keynote presenter during the Summit will be:

• Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, one of the nation’s foremost experts on the neurological effects of drug addiction.

• Hon. Joseph T. Rannazzisi, deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Diversion Control in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), an expert in preventing, detecting and investigating the diversion of controlled pharmaceuticals.

“This investigation centered on the Virgie and Regina communities but spread out across the county,” said Dan Smoot, deputy director of UNITE, adding the undercover operation lasted about 9 months.

“We bought a little bit of everything – from powder and crack cocaine to Suboxone and a variety prescription pills in between,” Smoot continued. “Pike County has a huge prescription drug problem, but cocaine is still a very desired drug.”

Assisting UNITE detectives with the arrests were troopers from Kentucky State Police Post 9 and agents from the London DEA field office.

As of 3 p.m. Tuesday 10 of the 18 individuals had been arrested and lodged in the Pike County Detention Center. They are:

• Bobby Bowling, 26, Bowling Fork Road, Elkhorn City, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• William Bowling, 57, Bowling Fork Road, Elkhorn City, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Kevin Hopkins, 46, Greasy Creek Road, Shelbiana, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender.

• Larry Kendrick, 34, Greasy Creek Road, Shelbiana, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender.

• Anthony John Puett, 27, Pikeville, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender.

• James “Jamie” Rowe, 31, First Street, Lookout, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and persistent felony offender.

• Garia Smith, 38, Virgie High Street, Virgie, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Richard Starghill, 34, Chloe Court, Pikeville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Steve Tackett, 39, Pikeville, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Vornele Tackett, 66, Dry Branch Road, Virgie, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Police continue to search for the remaining eight suspects.

Law enforcement officers from five agencies attempted to serve the warrants during a drug roundup conducted Wednesday, December 28.

The charges followed an on-going undercover investigation by Operation UNITE that began in early 2011.

A majority of the cases involved the illegal sale of Hydrocodone, Oxycodone and Suboxone.

Assisting UNITE detectives with the roundup were law enforcement officers from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, McKee Police Department, Two Rivers Drug Task Force and Kentucky State Police.

As of 2:30 p.m. officers had arrested 17 of the suspects and lodged them in the Jackson County Detention Center. They are:

• Ricky Abner, 48, U.S. 421, Sand Gap, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Robert Adkins, 49, Adkinstown Road, McKee, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender. In addition, Adkins was arrested by the Two Rivers Task Force after a large quantity of pills and cash were found at his residence during the roundup.

• Danny Bowles, 33, Sand Gap, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Juanita Caldwell, 26, Jackson Valley Apartments, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Georgia May Clemons, 55, Clemons Road, Sand Gap, four counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Chester Collett, 66, Doolittle Road, Annville, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Adam Shane Gabbard, 26, Farmer Cemetery Road, McKee, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Jeannie Johnson, 39, U.S. 421, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• William Kirby, 35, Kirby Road, Sand Gap, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Tommy Lakes, 23, Upper Dry Fork Road, Sand Gap, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Lana Mays, 21, Jackson Valley Apartments, McKee, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and two counts trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Mark McGeorge, 35, Jackson Valley Apartments, McKee, two counts second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Bradley Muncy, 32, Jackson Valley Apartments, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Judy Robbins, 49, Roberts Court Apartments, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Jesse William Smith, 19, Jackson Valley Apartments, McKee, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Tammy Spurlock, 33, Brushy Ridge Road, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and persistent felony offender.

• Cloyd Young, 50, McKee, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

In addition, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Micky Doan of Annville on drug-trafficking charges.

Law enforcement officers continue their search for the three remaining suspects.

Company officials provided the third annual $100,000 installment of a five-year pledge to the UNITE Foundation in a brief ceremony held Wednesday, Dec. 14, in Hazard.

The funding is 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.

KRP President Fred N. Parker said the donation is in keeping with his company’s philosophy to provide as much support as possible to schools, families and organizations within their service region.

In announcing the five-year, $500,000 pledge in January 2010, Parker noted his board of directors “felt this is one of the best investments we could make.”

Over the past two years, 45 people from the four target counties have entered a treatment program using KRP’s funding, said Karen Kelly, UNITE’s director.

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).

“These are people who need – and want – treatment for their addiction but may not have the financial resources,” Kelly said. “Kentucky River Properties recognizes this need and has made a commitment to helping out.”

With approximately 1,400 calls to UNITE’s treatment line (1-866-908-6483) each month, sometimes there is a waiting list for assistance. The funding from KRP virtually eliminates the wait for individuals in the four counties, Kelly added.

Funds requested by the Drug Court programs are used to provide resources to help participants meet basic one-time needs.

“The recovery process can be overwhelming,” Kelly noted. “Often this extra help makes the difference in whether or not an addict graduates and ultimately changes his or her lifestyle once and for all.”

Kentucky River Properties is a land company formed in 2001 after a restructuring of its parent company, Kentucky River Coal Corporation.

One of the nation’s experts in preventing, detecting and investigating this diversion will be a keynote presenter at the first National Rx Drug Abuse Summit next April.

Joseph T. Rannazzisi, deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Diversion Control in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), brings a unique perspective to the nation’s fight against substance abuse.

“Mr. Rannazzisi’s experience with the DEA, combined with his background as a pharmacist and lawyer, provides a unique perspective on stopping illegal activity, while at the same time ensuring these drugs continue to be available for legitimate medical needs,” said Karen Kelly, president/CEO of Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education), a Kentucky-based organization coordinating the event.

The Summit, which will be held in Florida April 10-12, 2012, is intended to foster better understanding and cooperation between all groups – state and national leaders, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, community advocates, treatment experts, educators, private industry leaders, and others – who are finding success in battling this nationwide epidemic.

“Diversion of prescription medications from their legitimate medical uses impacts every American, not only through the devastating personal toll exacted on individuals and their families, but on an economic level as well,” Kelly stated. “This Summit encourages proactive dialogue with national experts to identify data-driven policies and solutions.”

Rannazzisi is a 25-year career Special Agent who has held supervisory positions over areas such as clandestine labs, dangerous drugs and chemicals, enforcement, and division administration. He was appointed to his current position in 2006.

He is responsible for overseeing and coordinating major pharmaceutical, precursor chemical, clandestine laboratory and synthetic drug investigations; the drafting and promulgating of regulations; establishing drug production quotas; and serves as liaison to the pharmaceutical industry, international governments, state governments, federal agencies and law enforcement agencies.

Joining Rannazzisi as a keynote presenter during the Summit will be Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, one of the nation’s foremost experts on the neurological effects of drug addiction.

Law enforcement officers from Operation UNITE, the Hazard Police Department, Kentucky State Police and Perry County Sheriff’s Office attempted to locate these suspects in a roundup conducted Monday, December 12.

The arrests follow a six-month investigation conducted by UNITE, the Hazard Police Department and KSP into the trafficking of Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and Methadone.

Several of those sought have previously been arrested by UNITE or other agencies on drug-related offenses.

As of 2 p.m. Monday, 10 of the 14 suspects had been charged and lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Detention Center.

• Rocky Caudill, 45, Mountain Avenue, Hazard, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance second offense.

• Elijah Combs Jr., 58, Brookfield Lane, Hazard, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree persistent felony offender.

• Elmer Combs, 64, Gregory Branch, Hazard, four counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance second offense.

• Gregory Combs, 44, Town Mountain, Hazard, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Shirley Combs, 44, Mountain Avenue, Hazard, two counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Fallon Hall, 29, Highway 15, Vicco, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Romano Hensley, 50, Bulan Hiner Road, Bulan, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree persistent felony offender.

• Elijah Walker, 46, Justice Drive, Hazard, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Johnny Williams, 33, Right Fork Rome Napier Branch, Hazard, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Willie Williams, 22, Right Fork Rome Napier Branch, Hazard, three counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Police are continuing their attempt to locate and arrest the remaining four suspects.

Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, has conducted extensive research that demonstrates drug addiction is a disease of the human brain – not merely a criminal problem caused by poor choices – and thus much more difficult to overcome.

In 2007, Dr. Volkow was named to Time magazine’s list of the top 100 women and men “whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world.”

“We are excited that Dr. Volkow will share her expertise during the Summit,” said Karen Kelly, president/CEO of Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education), a Kentucky-based organization coordinating the event. “She is a highly-regarded professional whose work has engaged the entire health care system to seek appropriate responses and effective treatments for addiction.”

The Summit, which will be held in Florida April 10-12, 2012, is intended to foster better understanding and cooperation between all groups – state and national leaders, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, community advocates, treatment experts, educators, private industry leaders, and others – who are finding success in battling this nationwide epidemic.

“Diversion of prescription medications from their legitimate medical uses impacts every American, not only through the devastating personal toll exacted on individuals and their families, but on an economic level as well,” Kelly stated. “This Summit encourages proactive dialogue with national experts to identify data-driven policies and solutions.”

As a research psychiatrist and scientist, Dr. Volkow pioneered the use of brain imaging to investigate the toxic effects of drugs and their addictive properties. Her studies have documented changes in the dopamine system affecting the actions of frontal brain regions involved with motivation, drive, and pleasure and the decline of brain dopamine function with age.

Dr. Volkow received her medical degree from the National University of Mexico and spent most of her professional career at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in Upton, New York, where she held several leadership positions including director of Nuclear Medicine, chairman of the Medical Department, and associate director for Life Sciences. She has served as NIDA’s director since 2003.

For more information about the Summit call 1-866-678-6483, visit www.NationalRxDrugAbuseSummit.org, or follow news about the event on Twitter using @RxSummit.