By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) welcomed Jim Carroll, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), commonly known as the “Drug Czar,” to Kentucky today.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, addresses the media at the Kenton County Detention Center Monday. Behind McConnell are, left to right, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Jim Carroll, Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann and Kenton County Jailer Terry Carl (photos by Mark Hansel).
McConnell invited Director Carroll to Kentucky to get a close up view of the substance abuse epidemic and the problems faced by the people of the Commonwealth.
Carroll joined Sen. McConnell for visits to the Volunteers of America’s Freedom House in Louisville, and the Kenton County Detention Center in Covington. McConnell said that Director Carroll’s visits helped ONDCP better understand the scope of Kentucky’s drug problem, and make an informed decision on what is necessary to continue the federal government’s commitment to combating drugs in the Commonwealth.
“It was my privilege to welcome Director Carroll to Freedom House in Louisville and the Kenton County Detention Center in Covington,” said McConnell. “I make it a priority to invite Drug Czars to come here, so national policymakers can hear directly from those on the frontline of our fight against of opioid and substance abuse. Director Carroll’s office also oversees the critically important High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, which streamlines efforts to stop the flow of drugs into our communities. I was proud to bring the leaders of Kentucky’s comprehensive response together with the Drug Czar to continue mapping out our next steps to help those suffering from addiction.”
Freedom House is a family-centered treatment facility focusing on helping to prepare individuals to overcome their addiction. The Kenton County Detention Center is also playing a role in combating the substance abuse epidemic with its first-in-the-nation, jailed-based treatment program for inmates.
“By bringing the Drug Czar to Kentucky, Senator McConnell is showing his commitment to combatting the opioid crisis,” said Terry Carl, Kenton County Jailer. “Director Carroll’s visit today reinforces the partnership between federal, state, and local governments to battle the devastating drug epidemic and to save lives. We are proud of our ‘Start Strong COR-12’ program here in Kenton County, and we hope it can be an example of life-saving work at the county level.”
McConnell said that while the drug use epidemic is not unique to Kentucky, it has been hit pretty hard.
“You all have been among the most innovative in the country in your various addiction and recovery efforts, including what we have witnessed here today at the Kenton County Detention Center,” McConnell said.
Sen. McConnell and Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Jim Carroll, met with a group of Northern Kentucky leaders to discuss the region’s response to the drug epidemic.
McConnell had an opportunity to sit down with three of the inmates at the detention center who he said are working to turn their lives around.
“It was really quite inspirational,” McConnell said. “One of them, told a story and while he was telling his story, one of the people who work with him burst into tears in recognition of what he had achieved. So, wonderful things are happening here in this facility.”
State Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, was the first director of the Northern Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. She said the Kenton County Detention Center treatment program has become a national model.
“I think it’s critical when we’re talking about building a continuum and something that’s scalable across the nation – this really works,” Moser said. “We’re seeing great outcomes and I’d love to see this expand. I think this is a great example of a visionary program and it’s really allowing us to see what works and what doesn’t and what we still need to do.”
Carroll said Parents, families, and communities across Kentucky know firsthand how truly devastating the impact of America’s addiction crisis has been.
Sen. McConnell speaks with State Rep. Kim Moser about Northern Kentucky’s efforts to combat the drug epidemic. Moser was the first director of the Northern Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy.
“Leader McConnell is playing a critical role in making meaningful reforms to help prevent drug abuse, treat addiction at the local level, and stop the flow of lethal drugs from coming into our country,” Carroll said. “It was great to be with him today and to see the incredible work being done in Kentucky as part of an all-hands-on-deck approach. The Trump Administration appreciates his continued focus on reversing the pattern of drug abuse.”
Moser said there is no better example of the collaborative approach than the effort in Northern Kentucky.
“To have the support of so many partners in the region makes a huge difference and I think that’s really gotten the attention of Leader McConnell and certainly Director Carroll,” Moser said.
Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said the region’s leaders appreciate Sen. McConnell’s and Director Carroll’s work to combat the epidemic of opioid and substance abuse, especially their efforts to partner with local government to make a difference.
“As a Kentuckian, I’m especially proud to see Senator McConnell leading the way in passing landmark legislation that provides real tools that we can use in this fight,” Knochelmann said. “Kentucky’s elected officials are working together at all levels, and Senator McConnell is a leader in this battle.”
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com
