By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-954285.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – As the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy continues his tour through Kentucky, he's hearing from a wide range of people about their perspectives on prescription drug abuse.
Law enforcement officials, drug treatment professionals, and people in recovery have plenty to share with Gil Kerlikowske about Kentucky's pill epidemic.
"Most young people, often that first experiment with prescription drugs came from a family or friend, a medicine cabinet at home, or at a relative's house or a friend's house. And we have to do a better job of educating our public and not leaving these dangerous prescription drugs lying around."
"When you talk about oxycontin and drug like that, you're essentially talking about synthetic heroin. So the addictive qualities of these drugs I think are much stronger than what we've seen in the past."
"In one day alone in Lexington, we were able to take in over 810 pounds of prescription medication. So that gives you an idea of the need of this kind of thing, not just one or two days a year, but on a continuous basis."
These comments -- made by Van Ingram of the state office of Drug Control Policy, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky Kerry Harvey, and Lexington Police Commander Kenneth Armstrong -- were some of the opinions and information shared at a roundtable discussion at the University of Kentucky this week.
It was one of several events and presentations made during Kerlikowske's visit to the Commonwealth. The Drug Czar started in Louisville, working his way eastward to Pikeville.
"Whether they have a kid in school, whether it's through one of their co-workers, or maybe even a neighbor down the street, everybody can relate to the drug problem," says Kerlikowske. "But I think most importantly, what I want to get the message across is that we can actually make a huge difference."
Part of making a difference is money. Kerlikowske says the Obama administration wants to continue supporting efforts like the drug treatment program at the VA medical center in Louisville, the Chrysalis House in Lexington, and Operation UNITE in eastern Kentucky.
"Well the President's budget request for 2011, and as you know that's still in debate, was for an increase in funding for both treatment - which would go out to the states - and also an increase in funding for prevention. Because if we can prevent young people, that's even a lower cost and so much more effective."
Democratic Congressman Ben Chandler, who accompanied Kerlikowskie Wednesday, says securing that money is easier said than done.
"Funding for human needs are [sic] potentially going wanting in this rush to cut funding. And certainly we need to something about our budget problems, our budget deficits, but we also need to be very careful that we're not hurting real people."
One good thing going for Kentucky is that fighting the prescription drug problem is a bi-partisan here. It was Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who urged Kerlikowske to visit the Commonwealth.
The Drug Czar has a lot to take in during his visit, but Kerlikowske says his experiences won't be forgotten when he returns to Washington.
"I get to spend a lot of time on Capitol Hill talking to members of Congress, and more importantly talking to their staffs, in telling them what I've seen, what I've heard, the good things that are going on, but also the areas that we need to be supportive of."
Some of those decision-makers appear to be taking notice. Seven people from various congressional staffs -- including one from as far away as California -- joined Kerlikowske on his Kentucky tour.