Pence Presents Check To UNITE, WestCare
By Janie Taylor, Staff Writer, Appalachian News-Express
July 31, 2005

Pike County's battle with drug abuse got a hefty boost Friday via a $750,000 check from state funding.

Lt. Gov. Steve Pence presented the check to UNITE and WestCare Kentucky to open and operate the Pike County substance abuse treatment facility.

"Getting drugs off the street is a critical component of our efforts, but to be truly successful we must also treat the people who become addicted to drugs," Pence said. "We have a significant shortage of drug treatment facilities across the state."

Pence said answers to the region's ballooning drug problem lie within the communities.

"They have a real fight on our hands," Pence said. "It's going to take everyone working together, then we can say we're moving in the right direction."

Pence's presentation was funded through coal severance dollars through general fund appropriations.

Pence said that money belongs to Kentucky communities.

"We have limited resources and this is not the state's money, it's yours," Pence said during the ceremony. "We're just retrieving it and prioritizing our needs. And this is a real need."

WestCare Vice President Jennifer Noland said her organization is thrilled to receive the additional money.

"We still won't be open for a few weeks, but this will help us provide even better service," Noland said. "This money is a one-time appropriation and we're very appreciative that UNITE thought we were worthy."

Noland said the 25-bed adult male facility is still in a primary evaluation process and the extra funding will allow administrators to make necessary decisions along the way.

According to Noland, WestCare is a long-term treatment facility where patients will be treated for 30 days and longer.

Pikeville City Manager Donovan Blackburn said the WestCare facility is a necessity for Pike County.

"We definitely need facilities like this for eastern Kentucky as a whole," Blackburn said. "We're very excited about the money. We're strong in our fight against drug abuse in many ways, but we lack treatment. This is putting us in the right direction and offers us another alternative."

Operation UNITE stands for Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education. The organization serves 29 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky.

Staff Writer Janie Taylor can be reached via e-mail at jtaylor@news-expressky.com.