Paul: Eastern Kentucky drug problem not ‘a real pressing issue’
Democrat Jack Conway, left, and Republican Rand Paul are running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky.UPDATED AT 8:30 P.M.
UPDATED AT 9 P.M.
Staff/Wire Report
FRANKFORT — Republican U.S. Senate nominee Rand Paul said he doesn’t think the drug problem in Eastern Kentucky is “a real pressing issue,” even though others have described substance abuse in the region as an epidemic.
Paul’s latest comment, made in late July while speaking to an Associated Press reporter, expands on his previously stated position in favor of cutting federal funding for undercover drug investigations and drug treatment programs. Many officials say both are badly needed in Appalachia, a hotbed for marijuana growers and drug dealers selling prescription pills and methamphetamines.
His Democratic opponent, Jack Conway, favors using federal money, as does the region’s Republican congressman, U.S. Rep. Harold Rogers of Somerset.
“I don’t think it’s a real pressing issue,” Paul told The Associated Press, suggesting that Eastern Kentucky voters are more concerned about fiscal and social issues. The AP first reported the quote on Thursday.
“They’re socially conservative out there, so am I. Jack’s not. They’re fiscally conservative. I am. Jack’s not. … I think we’ll swamp him,” Paul said.
Paul apparently doesn’t understand the severity of the drug problem in Appalachian Kentucky, some current and former officeholders said.
Letcher County Sheriff Danny Webb estimated 95 percent of the problems police deal with — everything from domestic assaults and thefts to murder — are related to drugs.
“Drugs is definitely a pressing issue in this area,” said Webb, a Democrat. “I cannot go to Wal-Mart or Food City to shop without somebody stopping me and talking about a drug dealer in their neighborhood …”
As a Republican, businesswoman Carrie Cinnamond-Rose leans toward Paul, but she’s seen her Pikeville pharmacy burglarized and robbed four times in recent years.
“I’ll have to follow my heart, but let my brain enter into it, too,” Cinnamond-Rose said.
Addicts in search of a fix have forced some drug stores in Kentucky’s mountain region to lock pharmacists behind bulletproof glass and painkillers inside vaults, and some employers have reported having trouble finding workers because many people have substance-abuse problems.
Local officials reported 114 overdose deaths during the first two months of this year in 21 Eastern and Southern Kentucky counties, Karen Engle, head of the Operation UNITE anti-drug task force, said recently.
Rogers, who endorsed Paul after the May 18 primary, started Operation UNITE in 2003. The state puts up about $2 million and the federal share of $4.3 million comes mostly from federal earmarks made by Rogers.
Paul has pledged not to request earmarks and isn’t worried that voters would be upset about losing Operation UNITE.
“I don’t think most people in Kentucky have heard of it,” he told the AP.
When Paul first criticized federal spending on Operation UNITE in early July, Rogers issued a statement defending the program. “Both the local and state authorities lacked the resources and manpower necessary to address this problem and communities were literally crying out for help,” Rogers said at the time.
There is no question people in Eastern Kentucky are concerned about fiscal and social issues, but drug abuse also is a key concern, said former Jackson County Judge-Executive Tommy Slone, a Republican.
“Apparently (Paul) just doesn’t know or he wouldn’t make that statement” about drugs not being a pressing issue, Slone said. “It’ll hurt him if he says that because there’s a lot of people up here that’s been affected by these drugs.”
Paul’s campaign strategy includes carrying rural Kentucky, including Appalachia, and staying close in Louisville and Lexington, where voters tend to favor Democrats.
Conway has been trying to use the drug issue to whittle into Paul’s rural base.
“Rand will handcuff local sheriffs trying to combat the drug epidemic, and I will make sure Kentucky’s law enforcement has the tools they need to protect our families,” Conway said.
Paul, a Tea Party movement favorite, said he is opposed to the legalization of marijuana, even for medicinal purposes. But he also has called drug sentences of 10 to 20 years too harsh.
“I think drugs are a scourge but at the same time I also understand that teenagers — people that you may be related to, people that I may be related to — have had drug problems,” he said last month.
A GQ magazine piece this week quotes an anonymous woman who described a marijuana-fueled prank by Paul and a friend when they were Baylor University students in the early 1980s. Paul’s campaign hasn’t directly denied the allegation.
Conway said Kentucky, a small state suffering from budget cuts, can’t afford to take on drug traffickers without federal help. Paul wants to limit federal involvement to drugs crossing state or national borders. He has said other work to tackle the drug problem should be paid for locally, but hasn’t said how local and state governments would pay for that.
Ed Schemelya, point man in the federal government’s marijuana eradication program that confiscated roughly $2 billion of the drug in the central Appalachians last year, said cutting off federal funding would embolden drug traffickers.
“It would be impossible to stop them without federal assistance, because of the dire straits that these economies are in,” Schemelya said.
Shortly after Conway became state attorney general in 2008, he created a task force to coordinate local, state and federal efforts to curb prescription pill trafficking. Last year, that task force was part of the largest prescription pill bust in Kentucky history, charging more than 500 people in a drug pipeline between Florida and Kentucky.
Associated Press reporter Roger Alford and Herald-Leader reporter Bill Estep contributed to this story.
About the Author: John Stamper is the accountability editor for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Monticello, Ky., he has been with the Herald-Leader in a variety of roles since graduating from Western Kentucky University in 2000. Reach him at jstamper@herald-leader.com
Jim | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Is he stupid?
InTheKnow | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
“Both are badly needed in Appalachia, a hotbed for marijuana growers and drug dealers selling prescription pills and methamphetamines.”
This is not a direct quote or cited in any way. It is the writer’s opinion and thus does not belong in a news article. Journalism in this state is awful.
BarryNBG | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Jack’s wife works for a Liquor company. Is that not a drug company that plagues more families?
rambo | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
this paper has become jack conway’s political headquarters.so how now how can lhl call themselves a”newspaper”?
rambo | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
hey barry this lhl you are talking to.they’d never print anything negative about their golden boy jack conway.
elevenbravo | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
I have really tried to give him the benefit of the doubt because we need fresh blood in government. But now, after those comments, yes, he’s stupid.
rambo | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
i live in eastern ky , and rugs are a problem here.but they are a problem in central ky,western ky,anywhere in ky you want to mention.what we need in eastern ky is jobs.and we get a chance at that with a democrat.
rambo | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
and we won’t get a chance at that with a democrat
he nrambo | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
You criticize the Herald Leader for printing the story, but how do you address the fact that your boy Rand is the one that made the remarks? Or is that the Tea Party way–discredit the messenger when they say something you disagree with? “Liberal bias” and “drive by journalism” aren’t the ones responsible for Rand Paul’s persional views and opinions, are they?
Tommy Caudill | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
In the know,
Please read this article and then tell the journalist this is not a direct quote.
http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/state_factsheets/kentucky.html
Matt | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Social Security, Medicare and pension promises are pressing needs. Staying out of a great depression is a pressing need. Complete collapse of our financial system or collapse of California or Illinois are pressing needs. A war on drugs that’s a complete failure – not a pressing need.
FormerDemocrat | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Why should we expect a doctor from Bowling Green or an attorney from Louisville to understand Eastern Kentucky’s drug problems? Why in the world would people expect Washington D.C. to be able to fix a drug problem in one region of one state?
Paul’s solution is for local answers not federal ones. That isn’t hard to understand.
Conway’s solution is to throw more money at the failed War on Drugs. And that’s money we have to borrow from China…..!
BarryNBG | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Fact is, UNITE is basically a law enforcement program. If you think jailing more young people from low income families is good for our country, great. Vote Conway.
If you think your drinking alcohol is alright and someone smoking weed is an offense worth imprisonment, Vote Conway.
If you think the police should spend more time tracking down drugs than Robbery and Rape, vote Conway.
If you think a politician who demonizes marijuana as a “gateway drug” meanwhile (professional counselors will tell you alcohol and cigarettes are more a gateway drug) that candidate gets part of his family income from a legal drug dealer, vote Conway.
If you want sensible drug laws that allow you to be an adult and take responsibility for your actions, Vote Doctor Rand Paul.
“The government has as much right to control what I as an adult put in my body, as what I put in my mind. It is none of their business.”-Judge Jim Gray
Who profits from this drug war?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6t1EM4Onao
Tim | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Tommy Caudill: journalists should cite sources if they are going to make a comment like that. This is typical of the Herald.
jimmie | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Should the Attorney General of Kentucky be held accountable for crimes within the state? According to this article, NO!
Conway blames the lack of Federal funding for not doing his job. The same Attorney General of Kentucky blames the lack of Federal funding for his inability of solving illegal immigration in Kentucky.
There is a prescription drug problem in Eastern Kentucky. There is a crack problem in Lexington. There is a pot problem in the entire state. Let’s blame that on Rand Paul too….
A new dawn is upon us in American politics. It isn’t party driven. It is American driven. Keep it up media. It just fires us up even more:)
Tim | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Prisons, where the population is monitored constantly throughout the day, have a thriving drug trade. If we cannot keep drugs out of prisons, how can we possibly keep drugs out of society? Moreover, no one seems to get the fact that the financial costs are enormous, particularly when you consider that we’re borrowing the this money from our grandchildren.
Tommy Caudill | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Everyone who is backing Mr. Paul is overlooking the problem. You would rather our children live in a world where narcotics are constantly in their face rather than a world where drug pushers are trying to be put out of business by the DEA? I wander about the right-wing, they want to do away with public schools and they want drug dealers to be able to push drugs down our childrens throats. If you like that sort of thing please by all means vote for Rand Paul.
Rob | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
We as Kentuckians would be stupid to elect Rand Paul. He is only using KY as a spring board for a bigger agenda. He has no vision for this state.
Nick | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
The prescription pain pill problem is not just in Eastern Ky, it’s in all of Ky too. I know of several overdose deaths attributed to painpills. Most of them don’t get reported as such, but the people clsose to the deaths all knew it. Why is it whenever someone gets a toothache, backache, hangnail, etc. the stupid Dr.’s prescribe all this garbage! Take you a couple of ibuprofen and get over it. There is not much difference in pain relief and you won’t turn into an addict. It’s a shame when you know Dr’s. that prescribe this stuff are addicted themselves.
Tim | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Tommy Caudill: Have you been asleep for the last 20 years? We have spent trillions of dollars trying to eradicate drug use, but with very limited success. You cannot ignore these costs. I am much more worried about the debt that my children will inherit than the risk that they will use drugs.
jimmie | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Tommy and Rob,
Wake up! Both parties are controlled by special interests. They are running this country into bankruptcy. They are stealing tax payers hard earned money. And what do you guys do? Get brainwashed into “talking points”!
“They want to do away with public schools”
“He is only using Kentucky for a bigger agenda”
What are you implying on the last quote Rob? What kept you from calling Rand Paul a Nazi? Go ahead. It’s okay. Nancy Pelosi has already called Tea Party supporters that.
Tom, Rand Paul has never said he’d do away with public schools. He would reorganize who controlled them. The states themselves! The truth doesn’t hurt man…
Bob | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Based on the quotes in this article, it’s clear that drug abuse IS NOT the number one problem affecting E. KY. It’s grammar abuse. Wow… just… wow…
Sundance | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
I’m amazed at the unconditional support for Paul. At every corner he makes remarks which are deep in libertarian views and even the most moderate conservative will defend him to the death.
Are you all sure you want to do that. I mean Conway is a blue dog democrat, seems he’s more you kind of guy.
snappy | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
if it were a real pressing issue, you would see state lawmakers making real pressing changes. Instead, they stick mostly with staus quo, band-aid approaches, continue good ole boy stuff like Lawson, etc
jason dunn | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
This will be super rich! The R’s…darlings of the war on drugs, are now going to become pro-drugs because of Paul’s quote. D’s will capitalize on the shift. Funny how the R’s position can change overnight. And they skip over the part about the drug pipeline busts like it never happened.
Say what you will about UNITE…at least it’s bright some treatment resources we’d otherwise not see. And remember, Just because Rand hasn’t heard of it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I’d sure like to get Hal Roger’s POV on this, since he secured the $$.
jimmie | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Again, both parties are controlled by special interests. Yet, instead of tackling that problem we get….
Blue dogs? We should support that? They have been exposed. Ben Chandler’s vote on cap and trade exposed that.
People in Eastern Kentucky don’t know grammar? The Feds have funded their education.
Our Federal Government should obey our will, not control it.
Tim | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Sundance: Conway is a typical politician that would probably fit in well with the current Senate. If that is what you want, then vote for him.
The federal government has printed an uprecedented amount of dollars to pay for the profligate spending that Congress has authorized over the past six years. It is incredibly irresponsible and will have considerable negative effects on our economy. Rand Paul is the only one in this particular race who is concerned about that, and that is why he has my, in your words, unconditional support.
Arnie | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
He didn’t say the war on drugs wasn’t a real pressing issue. He said the drug problem wasn’t a real pressing issue. It really is great watching Paul’s supporters dance around this one. I am waiting for someone to really defend that without trying misdirection or out and out denial of what he said. It’s not about the Herald Leader or the budget deficit or Nancy Pelosi. It’s about the fact that Rand Paul is out of touch and “not real pressed with” the drug problems that have illed thousands in Eastern Kentucky. How do you defend that?
Will | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Rand Paul, waffling again.
Tim | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Arnie: But it is about the budget deficit! The drug war costs money–money that we don’t have. We are not dancing around anything. We don’t have the money for it.
Tommy Caudill | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Tim: Are you for the Bush tax cuts?
Tommy Caudill | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
The Bush tax cuts equals $5 trillion to our deficit. Where were you then? If you had spoke up maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess with pur deficit.
fuergrissaostdrauka480 | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
How many smear hit-pieces against Dr. Paul has the LHL published today? What a pathetic excuse for a newspaper.
Dave Rich | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
boy wonder strikes again
Tim | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Tommy: If you mean extending the tax cuts that are set to expire in 2011, then yes, I am in favor of extending them. I am sure that you will say “Aha, you’re in favor of increasing the deficit, then!” We do not have a tax revenue problem, we have a spending problem. Spending on the federal and state levels has far outpaced the inflation rate over the past six years. The ’80s taught us that you can reduce tax rates and actually increase tax revenues.
Tommy Caudill | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Tim: I just want to know, how you can sit there with a straight face and complain about the deficit when you want to give the wealthy a tax cut? We’ve had these tax cuts for ten years and we have nothing to show for it. We keep hearing republicans say these tax cuts will create jobs. Where are the jobs these tax cuts have created over the past ten years? Please explain, how you can be more for the rich than your children’s future?
greenandleft | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
It sounds like “Pixie” Paul has been hitting his bong again.
Stateboy | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Having personally experienced the destruction of more than one family member to the easy availability of drugs in eastern KY, I can only say that Paul has once again proven that he is unqualified for any elected office. Maybe federal funds aren’t the only or best solution but to say that the problem is not a “pressing issue” shows a complete lack of comprehension of the scourge that especially plagues this area of the state. And, once again, I am so happy he is not my eye doctor.
Tim | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
I am too tired to try to argue with you. Economics is not a zero sum game. I benefit if you do well and you benefit if I do well. Who is the sovreign that gets to decide who is “rich” and who is not? Canada, of all places, now has lower marginal personal and corporate tax rates than we do.
Tommy Caudill | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Ahhh come on, I’m just getting warmed up. We had the Bush tax cuts in place and we lost 7.7 million jobs, please explain how that happened. Since the stimulus went into effect we’ve lost 41 thousand jobs. Don’t think fro a moment I’m applauding the way the money has been spent, because I’m not. I think we should have spent every dime on our infrastructure, building high speed rail and putting fibreoptic cable in every part of our nation. I’m still hopeful that we will spend the remaining $400 billion of the stimulus on these programs.
Tim | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Tommy: I hope your (great) grandchildren are rich. They will need to be to pay for all of this spending. I also hope China will keep lending us money for these projects. Maybe we can hit up the World Bank if they refuse.
dd | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
This is funny. A year ago someone could mention the scrouge of drugs and the conservatives were ready to execute and then imprison anyone involved. Now, it’s okey because this boy says so. You guys are such parrots. Even if your own thinking is flawed, at least try it. I hear tomorrow he will announce what your favotite color is. Stay tuned.
Bob | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
That’s what an old pot-smoking, Buddha worshipping Texan would say. What an out of touch idiot.
Tommy Caudill | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
Tim: You seem to forget your party got us into this mess. Remember we had $127 billion surplus before we had the largest tax cut in history. Please quit trying to give democrats an economy lesson when your party has no credibility.
Deez | Aug 12, 2010 | Reply
These complaints about the H-L’s reporting are ridiculous. Nobody in the media MAKES Rand Paul say these asinine things, these dangerously ill-informed proclamations. Nobody is putting words in his mouth. He says them, and he says them proudly.
I think Rand Paul just lost the election. He has finally crowned months and months of stupid public statements with the king of ‘em all.
Drug abuse, particularly prescription drug abuse, is Eastern Kentucky’s SINGLE most pressing issue. It is THE number 1. All other problems are secondary and/or derived from that ONE main problem. This is simply not a matter of opinion. I have family in Prestonsburg, Pikeville, Martin, and Allen. My spouse worked in the legal system in Mt. Sterling and every case that came through was drug-related. EVERY SINGLE ONE. Theft of drugs. Theft to acquire drugs. Murder over drugs.
A while ago, before even the primaries, before I knew much about Rand Paul, a friend of mine told me that he didn’t think Rand Paul cared or even knew a single bit about what’s important to Kentucky. My friend was right. Rand Paul doesn’t give a CRAP about our Commonwealth. He is single-minded of purpose, and only sees this election as a springboard to national politics. Ask him ANYTHING about Kentucky, and when he’s not spewing nonsense like today’s zinger, you hear crickets.
The most ironic thing about the irrefutable fact of Rand Paul’s myopic national ambition is that his acolytes, his zealous groupies, try to criticize Jack Conway for being a “career politician.” Never mind the fact that Attorney General is the ONLY political job Conway has had to date. Conway is scarcely more a “career politician” than Rand Paul. But we must not forget the fact that Rand Paul is the son of RON Paul, who is DEFINITELY a career politician. And, as Bill Maher said, “the sh!t doesn’t fall far from the bat.”
Eric | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
So…um…why are we hearing about this for the first time now if the media knew of these comments since July? Anyone?
Nice random GQ article mention there. Could y’all at least try a little to be less transparent?
Lexington Herald-Leader | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Jack Conway, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul……
Buck Feshear | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Rand Paul vs. Jack Conway is like watching Duke vs. North Carolina or Tennessee vs. Louisville. You hope a tornado hits the arena while the game is going on; or in the least, that both lose. Neither Paul nor Conway are worthy of being a Senator from Kentucky. Conway is an elitist out-of-touch Louisville liberal and Paul is just nutty. At least the good thing about it is that when Paul wins, he’ll only be 1 of 100 and will be drowned out by more sensible conservative voices in the Republican contingent in the Senate. Although Paul will probably prove to be as worthless as RINOs like Graham, Snowe, Collins, etc.
Scooter | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Deez: Good post. You understand the problem, and it is not the Herald Leader. Paul regularly opens mouth, inserts foot. His comment on Sean Hanity’s radio program about Fancy Farm beer shows he speaks before he thinks or he doesn’t realize everything he says will be reported. And, even I know that most Kentucky counties are dry. How long has he lived in KY? Why did he come to KY? Was Texas too crowded for him and his father? Me thinks he only has national ambitions and without the tea party non party, no one would ever have heard of him.
James R. | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
If anyone running for Senator thinks drugs are not a “pressing issue in EKY” then they do not deserve your vote. They are not being honest with you.
As for the deficit talk and the tax cuts. If republicans honestly cared about the deficit like they claim…i am glad the have caought deficit religion in the last 24 MONTHS, then they would want spending on the 2 wars to end or taxes to go up to pay for these wars. Taxes were cut for the first time in the history of the country when we went to war. It is no wonder that we have deficit spending after the Clinton surpluses of 2001.
Man up republicans, you cannot have it both ways. All the federal spending does not matter really when we are spending many trillions yearly on 2 wars. Lets be fiscally responsible if we really believe in these wars. It is time more people sacrifice if we believe in the 2 wars than the soldiers who fight them. Or is that asking too much of us Americans?
jamal evans | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Everyday we see and hear about the violent actions of people who are under the influence of alcohol, yet this drug is legal? We made it illegal during prohibition and got Al Capone and empowered the Mafia as a result. I have never witnessed people who had smoked pot act in this manner – or even come close.
It is time the average American came to the realization that we have been lied to by a govt. that is controlled by corporate interests. Some of the same corporate interests that convinced govt. to criminalize marijuana because they didn’t want competition against their petroleum based products.
The war on drugs is both inhumane and unwinnable. Anyone who is well versed in Appalachian history knows there are two activities you will never stop in this region and those are moonshining and growing marijuana. And I don’t care how much money you WASTE in the process, you will never stop it. The term “controlled substance” is an oxymoron. There are no controls in the black market.
Stacy | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
No, no it’s not. You moron.
Buck Feshear | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
This concept of “shared sacrifice” — or as I like to call it, “shared suffering” — is way overblown. Just because one person or group is suffering doesn’t mean everyone has to suffer.
War Is Good | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Look at all the dems in here cheerleading for the drug war. I thought that was Repug thing.
I guess since Obama’s been President dems like wars now.
Badtux | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Say wha? Mr. Paul apparently thinks oxycontin is nicknamed “hillbilly heroin” because it’s used in the BEVERLY Hills, or what? There’s a big difference between smoking splif occasionally (I support marijuana legalization BTW) and being addicted to one of these really evil life-destroying drugs, and anybody who thinks there isn’t a big addiction problem to some really *evil* stuff in eastern KY is either living in a bubble or is a few lightbulbs shy of a full chandelier, yo.
Lyndon Combs | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
We need new ideas, and ways of stopping the growing drug problem in Eastern Kentucky.
Unite was and is a good idea, but it needs new ideas, and not the PR BS…
The current system isn’t working as it should. We need to handle the corrution of the system that allows one to go home, and the other to be put behind bars.
This is the reason prohibition has always failed. End the corruption or it is doomed to fail… it is that simple. Remember your history.
Stop the dealers no matter who they are… stop the big money people as well as the ones in the trailer parks. Don’t just look at the pill problem look at the bigger Cocaine problem that is glossed over due to the number of people in power involved.
We need to look at the problem head on, and not try to hide it because certain people are worried about the areas image.
We need to look at all ideas that are being proposed.
No more band aids search for the cure!
On the subject of Hemp… we need to make the seperation between industrial, and drug… the tax dollars from industrial hemp could go a long way to helping this state.
Treatment programs that actually clean a person up, and doesn’t create another problem as the methadon clinics have done.
Stop situations such as the one in the Hazard City Schools where a school principle, who is also on the city council from promoting drinking. He should be dealt with as anyone else. Not covered up.
Until some real change ceoms to the region nothing is going to change.
Buck Feshear | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Cocaine? Where is that a problem besides the cities? Kentucky’s problems are prescription drug abuse, manufacturing meth, abuse of methadone and cultivation of marijuana.
Whitesburg Joe | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Rand Paul is a joke. He is really ignorant if he thinks local communities can fight the drug scourge without federal help.
If Kentuckians are this stupid to elect Paul, we get what we deserve.
Thomas Jefferson always said democracy depended on an informed society. We shall see. Rand Paul is not informed if he really things drugs are not a problem. I am not talking about marijuana either.
Citizen | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
The problem in Eastern Kentucky is that everybody is on welfare. Most folks get free Medicade/Medicare so pain pills are free, and at $80.00 a pill in a place with no jobs, drug dealing is the only economy. Why increase law enforcement and drug treatment when this is all legal. Many get there drugs in Kentukcy and also take the “pain train” to Georgia/Florida to get even more. There must be more accountability for medicare/medicaid and programs that track peoples’ presciptions. But don’t think Frankfort is going to help, Purdue pharmacuticals the maker of oxycontin has full time lobbists in Frankfort. Way to go Gov. Beshear, always looking out for yourself.
William | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Drugs are a problem in Eastern and Western Kentucky. But given the plethora of other problems, I think he’s right…it doesn’t rate as a “pressing” issue. They can’t all be pressing.
Buck Feshear | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
I don’t think anyone is in favor of long jail terms for simple possession. Users need treatment, not incarceration. But the dealers should be locked away for a long time. There’s a difference between someone who only has a small bag of weed or a couple of pills, and someone who’s growing a lot of pot or gets caught with dozens of pills and wads of cash.
Jason Cummings | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
i used to have a big rug problem myself. I couldn’t get enough of the shag.
insulted | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
I’ve never seen someone run for office in this state who was more ignorant of Eastern Kentucky. Seriously, where did they import this guy from?
neverspn | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Randy, you’re going to make me OD on popcorn.
Lyndon Combs | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Cocaine is a big problem that is very common in Kentucky. Going back to the early 80′s.
InTheKnow | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
So they correct the original article in accordance with my complaint and then delete my comment. What a bunch of f*ckers.
pat | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
News Flash Morons: “Paul, a Tea Party movement favorite, said he is opposed to the legalization of marijuana, even for medicinal purposes.”
Guess what, he is NOT in favor of ending the war on drugs. I love how many times I have seen the Paulbots post that he will end the wasted spending on the war on drugs. Sorry but that is a liberal stance, been one for years. Liberals have always and still believes it is pointless to throw simple users in jail for decades and that marijuana prohibition is more destructive than helpful. This is where the far left and the “new” far right agree, even though it falls on the deaf ears of Randy. Looks like he is all for the war on drugs. He just wants the entire burden to fall on the local victims of the problem. No help, just do it on your own. In the “I got mine, screw you” world of Randy Paul. The Individual States of America.
Great posts, deez and tommy and so nice to see that not all of Kentucky is drinking the Aqua Buddha bongwater.
quisno | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
you have a good man in Rand paul . ther liberal press has been active trying to get lies to stick to this american patriot. heres the true story as seen by other patriots accrossed the country.http://www.infowars.com/rand-paul-hoax-number-1-search-term/
quisno | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
hey you people you want to know whos bringing in the drugs? you go to your browser and type in “cia delivers drugs through the drug cartels”
quisno | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Pat your one of those newyorkers moved to kentucky to take out Republicans who run against the good old boys. Kentucky is conservative. and the “aqua budda bungwater”is the lame attempt to smear a good man but then your like the hit and run artists in Sanfrancisco. and the liberal news services.
trublu n ky | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Just what exactly is in the “tea” that Rand Paul has been drinking? He is hallucinating if he believes there is not a major drug problem in East Kentucky.
pat | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Sorry quisno, I’ve never been to NY. I was born and raised in Kentucky, which by the way Rand Paul was not. So a pretty interesting line of attack from a Paulbot. I’m in C-ville and I’m enjoying our newly “moist” status. I got news for you too, there a lot of people around here that aren’t buying Randy’s BS. In his own words he says “we need to close down the federal government and only have state’s government” That’s your patriot for you. He is on a mission to defund, neuter, and dismantle the federal government. He wants to take represented power away from the government and hand it over to corporations that only have their bottom line as a concern. I can understand that anarchists favor such measures but there are a lot more people that don’t favor throwing the country under the bus. All you have to do is listen to Paul in his own words.
pat | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Here’s video of Randy. Apparently he was the prince of public television before he was a fox news parrot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTRJiqX_2M0&feature=related
pat | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Where has Randy said in the past three months that he will end laws against drugs? So he intends to keep all the laws in place, just not provide any federal money for enforcement. Just code for higher state taxes. Local level burdens become local level taxes.
Randy is trying to walk a fine tightrope to appease his anti-war, anti-drug war supporters and also pander to his pro-war, religious fanatic supporters. Randy Paul wants to be a libertarian republican, but unfortunately his is neither, he is just a panderer. It’s just that he’s trying to pander to two completely different audiences.
Jack | Aug 16, 2010 | Reply
Hey pat, just because you were born in Kentucky doesnt automatically make you right or smart. If you want the federal government to be your daddy and momma (or your god) then you have some serious problems!
Your 2 typical tired old liberal solutions to any problem:
1. Throw more government money at it.
2. Make government bigger.
Fact: Rand Paul IS a libertarian Republican.
And you sir/madam sound like either a big government neocon or a far left socialist.
(Both are basically the same, and both have created the current mess that most Americans are currently suffering through)
Both hate Rand Paul because he supports LESS government intrusion into peoples lives.
And that drives all the authoritarian b-holes crazy!
You sound like a typical authoritarian.
You demand that government be in peoples wallets and their bedrooms.
Its people like you who think that every issue in life requires top down government involvement
That idea has bankrupted our nation and taught people to be completely irresponsible.
(Because government will be responsible FOR them)
If you want government to run your life, fine, but dont demand that government run other peoples lives the way YOU think they should be run.
Unless of course you dont mind other people thinking of you as some kind of closet fascist or ‘little Eichmann’
The rants of authoritarians…ie. people who get off on controlling others
(right or left) should be utterly ignored by anyone who gives a crap about liberty.
Jack | Aug 16, 2010 | Reply
Fact 1: All drugs were once legal in the USA early last century.
Fact 2: Prohibition of alcohol was a complete failure.
THUS:
IF the current drug war is a resounding success as so many
posters seem to believe, then they must also logically support a
RETURN to Prohibition of alcohol as a ‘cure all’ for all alcohol related problems in America as well.
returntoprob | Aug 16, 2010 | Reply
Jack – only for Republicans and Christians. They are the ones telling everyone how to live their lives, so they need to set an example first. If that works out, we can add in everyone else.
Jack | Aug 17, 2010 | Reply
You are somewhat correct,
Some Christians are pro-’everything be prohibited.’
But its a FACT that many Christians (like myself) strongly disagree with that.
(As would many Republicans and Conservatives as well. )
I would say the ones you refer to wrongly equate state authoritarianism with morality.
Or they think its the governments job to ‘make people be moral…or else!’
Most such persons want to mix church and state into a state church. This is not the idea of our Founders.
It is not up to government to enforce church morals onto those who arent Christian. Unfortunately, some people who just dont get it, think it is.
It is up to churches to enforce morality on its members only.
It is up to churches to decide what a marriage is, not government.
I dont think government belongs in our wallets or in our bedrooms. Many Christians would agree with that, believe it or not. Unfortunately its the loudest people who get heard the most and the most often.
And to be completely honest, the religious authoritarians arent the only ones who want to run everyone elses lives.
For example liberals want government to force others to be charitable. Thats no different from some robber forcing you to be charitable and ‘donate’ to him. Thats not charity.
Heres a political cartoon for you that shows that its clearly not just the
religious authoritarians and some control-freak Republicans alone who are to blame for less freedoms.
All the people depicted below are authoritarians.
(left, right and middle)
http://blog.mises.org/13218/the-24-types-of-authoritarians/
Im sure anyone who sees the cartoon above can certainly identify the attitudes of at least someone they have known in it.
BUPOP | Feb 23, 2011 | Reply
Randy is trying to walk a fine tightrope to appease his anti-war, anti-drug war supporters and also pander to his pro-war, religious fanatic supporters. Randy Paul wants to be a libertarian republican, but unfortunately his is neither, he is just a panderer. It’s just that he’s trying to pander to two completely different audiences.
Air Max 90 | Mar 8, 2011 | Reply
This is really my very first time here, great looking blog. I discovered so many
interesting things inside your blog especially its discussion. From all the remarks in
your articles, it appears such as this is often a very popular website. Keep up the truly
amazing work.
wholesale digital thermometer | Mar 8, 2011 | Reply
A thoughtful feeling may enslave a girl but staleness ever finger accepted by a get
Nike Shox | Mar 8, 2011 | Reply
I will definately post a link to this post on my website. I’m positive my followers will
find this article really useful.
Wedding Dress | Mar 8, 2011 | Reply
This info is just what i was looking for. It would be excellent to see more of your
writing on this topic…will come back to see
chi flat iron | Mar 16, 2011 | Reply
I agree with your Blog and I will be back to check it more in the future so please keep up your work. I love your content & the way that you write. It looks like you have been doing this for a while now, how long have you been blogging for?
air max pas cher | Mar 21, 2011 | Reply
It’s good to see this information in your post, i was looking the same but there was not any proper resource, thanx now i have the link which i was looking for my research.
ED Hardy | Mar 21, 2011 | Reply
What a fu s look great! You make it so simple to this.Thanks!
Prada Handbags | Mar 21, 2011 | Reply
Heya..thanks for the post and great tips..even I also think that hard work is the most important aspect of getting success.
abercrombie and fitch | Mar 24, 2011 | Reply
Heya..thanks for the post and great tips..even I also think that hard work is the most important aspect of getting success.
Nike pas cher | Mar 24, 2011 | Reply
e post and great tips..even I also think that hard work is the most important aspect of getting success.
Air Max 90 pas cherN | Mar 24, 2011 | Reply
ure so please keep up your work. I love your content & the way that you wri
new era hats | Mar 25, 2011 | Reply
Thanks for taking the time to talk about this specific subject. Myself i think strongly about this as well as love understanding more about this issue. If at all possible, as you obtain more knowledge, please keep updating your web blog with increased content. It is very useful for me personally.
Nike pas cher | Mar 29, 2011 | Reply
sfftryy
thomas sabo charms | Mar 29, 2011 | Reply
thtsghjghgj
abercrombie & fitch | Mar 29, 2011 | Reply
ggghthtjh
Air Max 90 pas cher | Mar 29, 2011 | Reply
DFGGFHHJJGHKGHKK
iphone cases | Mar 29, 2011 | Reply
dgdgfhjjkk
retro jordans | Mar 31, 2011 | Reply
retro jordans
jewelry making supplies | Apr 3, 2011 | Reply
Thank you.
wholesale jewelry beads | Apr 5, 2011 | Reply
nice!!
chi flat iron | Apr 6, 2011 | Reply
I agree with your point of view.Your article is well written
ugg sandals | Apr 7, 2011 | Reply
I have never seen before this type of post your posts are always different from others.
African Mango | Apr 7, 2011 | Reply
Happy to see your blog as it is just what I’ve looking for and excited to read all the posts. I am looking forward to another great article from you.
mac cosmetics | Apr 8, 2011 | Reply
I was extremely pleased to find this website. This is a good website.
fake tattoos | Apr 12, 2011 | Reply
It is a very informative and useful post thank it is good material to read this post increases may knowledge
iPad 2 | Apr 14, 2011 | Reply
I am really enjoying reading your well written articles. It looks like you spend a lot of effort and time on your blog. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work!usb
china wholesale | Apr 15, 2011 | Reply
It is my pleasure to read this page,I look forward to reading more.
buy cheap jordans | Apr 15, 2011 | Reply
I really like this website , and hope you will write more ,thanks a lot for your information.
cheap basketball shoes | Apr 15, 2011 | Reply
You provide enriched information for us,thank u.
wholesale shoes | Apr 15, 2011 | Reply
Thanks for the link to the great list!authentic mens gucci shoes
Birkenstock Sandals | Apr 15, 2011 | Reply
I have been searching for a solution to the exact problem for the longest time, this post reallty helped me! Cheap Nike Shox shoes
air max 95 neon | Apr 17, 2011 | Reply
while deployment of Ancelotti’s play firmly restrained by Ferguson.
discount true religion jeans | Apr 17, 2011 | Reply
thanks for the share, i’ll recommend it to friends.discount true religion jeans
cheap Ray Ban | Apr 19, 2011 | Reply
THANKS
christian louboutin | Apr 20, 2011 | Reply
This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. This is very nice one and gives in depth information. Thankschristian louboutin
ugg slippers | Apr 21, 2011 | Reply
All I am New, I have been looking around this board for about a few hours as a guest. I found it extremely and it has helped out allot. I hope to hang around for abit and contribute.
mac cosmetics | Apr 21, 2011 | Reply
I like thes tips , it is so good.. hah
vibram five fingers | Apr 21, 2011 | Reply
Well said. I never thought I would agree with this opinion, but I’m starting to view things from a different view. I have to research more on this as it seems very interesting. One thing I don’t understand though is how everything is related together.
true religion jeans | Apr 22, 2011 | Reply
thanks for sharingcheap true religion jeans
holesale coach purses | Apr 22, 2011 | Reply
Glad to recommend you a very useful sites, hope to help your life bring conveniencecoach online outlet store
laptop battery dell | Apr 25, 2011 | Reply
Good work! Ii would look forword your article. Maybe you can come to my website to search what you need~
welcome everyone come to my website!
Cheap Christian | Apr 25, 2011 | Reply
what entice you to post an article. This article was extremely interesting, christian louboutin shoesespecially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Thursday.
nintendo ds | Apr 26, 2011 | Reply
Thank you for sharing. I like this article.
http://www.r4dsnds.com/micro-sd-card
cheap handbags | Apr 28, 2011 | Reply
http://www.nowmalls.com/category-2-b0-Designer+Handbags.html
ed hardy | Apr 28, 2011 | Reply
good,very good……..
coach wholesale handbags | Apr 29, 2011 | Reply
Very interesting and informative article. Read very easily. coach outletSuch quality articles really very little now.
true religion uk | May 2, 2011 | Reply
I like your atricle.And welcome to visit true religion uk!It may give you a surprise!
chi ceramic flat iron | May 4, 2011 | Reply
it makes you wonder where people get the idea that short-term planning will yield immediate rewards.chi camo flat iron pink
coach wholesale handbags | May 5, 2011 | Reply
Happy to see your blog as it is just what I’ve looking for and excited to read all the posts. I am looking forward to another great article from you.
asics nimbus | May 5, 2011 | Reply
asics nimbus shoes
http://www.asicsshoesking.org/
Pandora | May 6, 2011 | Reply
No Doubt! your blog contain very useful information. contain very useful information.
christian louboutin discount | May 7, 2011 | Reply
ur blog contain very useful information. contain very useful information.
coach handbags | May 8, 2011 | Reply
I’ve been looking for something like this! Thanks for sharing this great tool!
xuyang | May 9, 2011 | Reply
Nowadays more and more consumers begin to focus on “canada goose
“. In particular, 2011 Canada goose collections offer several special styles of Canada goose coats, such as Canada goose porter jackets, Canada goose Snow Mantra parkas and Canada goose kensington jackets and so on. It is expected that you can get your own favourite canada goose down coats. After experiencing canada goose clothes, you will favorably get impressed by Canada goose coats. Next time you will still love to buy Canada goose, I believe. (yang)
christian louboutin discount | May 10, 2011 | Reply
I’ve been looking for something like this!
Thomas sabo | May 10, 2011 | Reply
I am very thank you to share this article,it’s very good,I hope you can share more,and I will continue to read,thanks!
John Hays | May 10, 2011 | Reply
nice-Jaeger-Lecoultre diamond watches
Rosetta Stone Language | May 11, 2011 | Reply
goose down coats. After experiencing canada goose clothes, you will favorably get impressed by Canada goose coats. Next time you will still love to buy C
ghd hair straightener | May 11, 2011 | Reply
I just like the approach you took with this subject. It isn’t every day that you discover something so concise and enlightening.
chi hair dryer | May 11, 2011 | Reply
I searched for something completely different, but found your website! And have to say thanks. Nice read. Will come back.
cheap jerseys | May 11, 2011 | Reply
’ll make sure to put this in good use!