I received this Op-ed letter from Bob Finch in support of Operation UNITE. Mr. Finch is the Director of Missions for the Pike Association of Southern Baptists. 

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Mr. Combs states that Operation UNITE funds could be better used in a different manner to reduce drug abuse in the 5th District.  But throughout his letter he continually states the biggest flaw in Operation UNITE is their lack of accountability with regards to how funds are being spent.  Well if the latter is true then how can Mr. Combs make his first claim since he has not shown how Operation UNITE is not effectively using the funds they receive. 

Plus, he has also stated that the major emphasis in Operation UNITE is the Law Enforcement portion and yet in Pike County that is simply not the case.  What the reality in Pike County and I believe in other counties is the emphasis on working with children, adolescents, and parents in eradicating and preventing drug abuse in our homes, communities, and schools. 

There are a number of events that are either sponsored or conducted by either Operation UNITE or local UNITE groups. 

Here in Pike County we have fishing tournaments, various sports camps, academic team competitions, Christian music events, and other family friendly events going on throughout the year or that UNITE Pike is a part of.  And of course Operation UNITE has Camp UNITE every year which allows over 200 kids to go to camp totally for free each year, an experience many of them would never have the opportunity to be a part of had it not been for Operation UNITE providing it. 

So perhaps Mr. Comb might want to do a little more research before he suggests ending the needed funding for Operation UNITE and perhaps he might want to volunteer some of his time to come along side Operation UNITE and help them to be even more effective in eradicating drug abuse and developing strong healthy families in the 5th District. 

Thanks Neil, Bob Finch

Click here to read Op-ed: Critic of Operation UNITE

Click here to read Operation UNITE responds to criticism: What is the cost of doing nothing?

Here’s is the policy:

Email your letters to neil.middleton@wymtnews.com

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Neil Middleton <><
WYMT Mountain News
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