U.S. Attorney's Offices Announce Speakers for Kentucky Prescription Druge Abuse Summit
– Governor Steve Beshear to Speak at Summit
LEXINGTON – The U.S. Attorneys in Kentucky announced today key speakers who will take part in a state-wide prescription drug abuse summit.
The one day event will include remarks from Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, Wilfredo Ferrer, U.S. Attorney from the Southern District of Florida and University of Kentucky President Dr. Eli Capilouto. As the chief federal law enforcement officer in South Florida, U.S. Attorney Ferrer leads a broad effort to investigate and prosecute purveyors of rogue pain clinics, also known as “pill mills” in South Florida. Experts from UK’s medical, pharmacy and dental schools will participate in panel discussions.
Law enforcement in Kentucky has made prescription drug abuse one of its highest priorities. In 2010 and 2011, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Kentucky prosecuted approximately 120 cases related to prescription pills, which more than doubles the prosecutions involving any other type of drug. However, combating this problem cannot be solved by law enforcement alone. Success requires a collaborative effort from health care, social services, regulatory and education professionals.
With this in mind, the U.S. Attorneys in Kentucky together with the University of Kentucky (UK) Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy are hosting a prescription drug abuse summit on February 1, 2012 at the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital Pavilion in Lexington, Ky. The one-day event will include presentations and panel discussions of the many facets of prescription pill drug abuse and its impact on Kentucky communities, schools, and institutions.
Additional speakers include Van Ingram, Executive Director of Kentucky’s Office of Drug Control Policy, as well as representatives from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, community leaders, the education and medical communities, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Operation UNITE, and Appalachian High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
For more information, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 859-685-4805 or at alove@usa.doj.gov.
