Recent News
1 ton of meds collected
More than one ton of outdated or unwanted medications was collected by Operation UNITE as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s seventh National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this past weekend. A total of 2,021.5 pounds of prescription and...
Heroin cases highlight Pike roundup
PIKEVILLE – Heroin is slowly becoming a trendy drug among Pike County dealers. “It’s cheaper and it’s becoming easier to get than prescription drugs such as OxyContin,” said Keith Napier, Operation UNITE’s Big Sandy Task Force manager. “We’ve been noticing this trend...
Drug Take-Back Day October 26
Residents living in southern and eastern Kentucky wishing to dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications have plenty of options at this coming Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Over the past year, Operation UNITE has helped establish 41...
HOPE Wall in Pulaski Co.
SOMERSET – “When everything seems like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.” That quotation, from an unknown person, is used by Operation UNITE to help describe its new HOPE Wall, which will be on display at the Pulaski County Judicial Center from...
Cadets learn life skills at SHND camp
HARLAN – When participants lined up to begin Operation UNITE’s Shoot Hoops Not Drugs camp in Harlan Thursday evening, Oct. 10, it was obvious this program was going to be a bit different from all the others. It might have been the matching purple, red or black...
Harlan drug roundup targets 51
HARLAN – Arrest warrants for 51 Harlan County residents have been issued following a nine-month undercover investigation by Operation UNITE into drug trafficking within the area. Law enforcement officers from UNITE, the Kentucky State Police, Harlan Police Department,...
Pike dispatcher/deputy arrested
PIKEVILLE – A Pike County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher and deputy was one of two individuals arrested Thursday morning following an undercover drug investigation by Operation UNITE. Matthew Blanton, 33, of Rocky Road, Pikeville, and 34-year-old Bradley Childers of...
Treatment initiative ‘a model’
LONDON – At age 14, Chad Webb began drinking alcohol. It wasn’t long before his youthful experimentation had progressed to more potent drugs and an addiction to prescription pain killers. “All I was worrying about is how I would get my next high,” the 38-year-old Pike...
PMC to have seat on Board
PIKEVILLE – Emphasizing the importance of having the medical community’s input on efforts to stop substance abuse, Operation UNITE and Pikeville Medical Center have teamed up to provide a seat on the anti-drug organization’s Board of Directors. This partnership, and...