SHERIFF MAKES PLEA FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Louisa Lawrence County Sheriff Garrett Roberts is hoping that more citizens will get involved in trying to solve the county's drug problem.

A meeting of the UNITE task force, an anti-drug initiative, will be Monday evening at the Lawrence County Courthouse.

UNITE, an acronym for Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment and Education, was formed last year by U.S.  Rep.  Hal Rogers, R-Somerset, and is funded with $8 million in federal funds.  The money is shared among a 29-county area, including Lawrence.

Roberts said each county in the UNITE program must elect a chairman, co-chairman, treasurer and secretary to oversee the local operations.  Monday's meeting is to elect these officers, he said.

"These people have to be committed to the project and they have to be willing to work hard."

The volunteer board members will have their own office in the courthouse, with its own computer and phone line.

During UNITE's first meeting in the county two weeks ago, the turnout was dismal, Roberts said, with only six people in attendance.

A temporary board of directors was appointed at that meeting, Roberts said, in order to complete necessary paperwork.

"I am begging people to come out and be a part of the group," the sheriff said.  "Housewives, laborers, anyone who wants to help out can be a part of the group."

He said Lawrence County's drug problem, particularly prescription drugs, is quite severe and its eradication remains a top priority of his department.

UNITE is earmarking the majority of its money, about $5 million, into identifying, arresting and prosecuting street-level drug dealers.

Another $1.8 million will help finance drug courts in UNITE's area and $200,000 will be available for community drug-education programs.