Operation UNITE was launched in April 2003 by U.S. Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers in response to a special report, "Prescription for Pain," published by the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper during January and February 2003. This series of articles exposed the addiction and corruption associated with drug abuse in southern and eastern Kentucky, which largely included Rogers' Fifth Congressional District.

Operation UNITE works to rid communities of illegal drug use through undercover narcotics investigations, coordinating treatment for substance abusers, providing support to families and friends of substance abusers, and educating the public about the dangers of using drugs. UNITE's goal is to educate and activate individuals by developing and empowering community coalitions to no longer accept or tolerate the drug culture.

Operation UNITE serves the 29 counties of the Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District: Bath, Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Wayne, Whitley and Wolfe.

For more about UNITE go to: http://www.operationunite.org/about/index.php

To download the most current fact sheet about Operation UNITE go to:

http://www.operationunite.org/datainc/newsroom/UNITEFactSheet.pdf

Investigations

To learn about Operation UNITE's law enforcement efforts and see current statistics for the Fifth Congressional District go to UNITE's homepage - http://www.operationunite.org -- and click on the "Investigations" link.

Drug Tip Line

Operation UNITE, in conjunction with Appalachia HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), provides a toll-free line to report suspicious activity. The number is: 1-866-424-4382

This line is manned from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. During all other times callers will be able to leave confidential tip information on an answering machine.

Callers to the Drug Tip Line will be asked to provide:

• County, city or other jurisdiction in which the suspicious activity is taking place.


• Road name or highway number where the activity is occurring.

Name(s) of the people involved in the activity.

• A description of the activity that is taking place.


• Time of day the activity was observed.


• What types of drugs are involved.


• A description of any vehicles involved, including license tag number.


• Whether there are children in the home or around the activity.


• If there are any guns or other weapons at that location.

To view the number of tip line calls by county go to:

http://www.operationunite.org/invest/DrugTipChart.pdf

Most Wanted

To view a listing of Operation UNITE's most wanted drug suspects go to:

http://www.operationunite.org/invest/mostwant.php

UNITE Coalitions

A coalition is a formal alliance of organizations, groups and agencies coming together for a common goal. Each entity retains its own identity, but all agree to help build a safe, healthy, and drug-free community. Operation UNITE Community Coalitions work to implement education and treatment initiatives while supporting the investigative component.

Coalition goals

The overall goals of a UNITE coalition are to empower communities and to raise awareness about drug addiction in order to change community norms regarding drug abuse. To do this successfully coalitions must have multiple strategies that will bring together the various sectors of their local society.

Local problems require local solutions. The first step is to acknowledge that your community does, indeed, have a drug problem. It is vital to provide consistent messages; address the community as a whole, as well as the individuals. Brainstorm ways that during the course of your normal life you can impact community norms. (For example, a physician looks for ways to impact their patients and address the problem of addiction with their clients.)

To change the community it is vital to change systems such as the judicial, medical, political and educational sectors. UNITE coalitions offer a variety of ways for concerned citizens to become involved in fighting the drug epidemic in southern and eastern Kentucky. Through the involvement of the different committees, lives will be changed and hope revived in your community.

To learn more about coalitions go to Operation UNITE's homepage - http://www.operationunite.org -- and click on the "Coalitions" link.

To find out information about coalitions in your area go to:

http://www.operationunite.org/coalitions/counties/index.php and follow the link to your county.

If you would like to Make A Difference in the fight against drug abuse or would simply like more information about a UNITE program go to: http://www.operationunite.org/difference.php and complete the on-line form.

Treatment Referral Line

Operation UNITE provides a toll-free line for anyone seeking assistance with drug addiction. The number is: 1-866-90-UNITE (1-866-908-6483)

This line is available during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Individuals seeking treatment, as well as family members in need of support, can call the referral line to learn about available treatment programs in the region and the appropriate steps they must take in order to enter a program that will meet their needs. All calls are kept confidential.

Voucher Program

In July 2005, Operation UNITE began a $1.6 million Treatment Voucher Program to help low-income residents of the Fifth Congressional District who suffer from substance abuse issues obtain short-term and long-term residential treatment.

To learn more about the voucher program go to:

http://www.operationunite.org/treatment/vouch.php

Calendar

http://www.operationunite.org/cal/index.php

News and Photos

For the latest news and photos from Operation UNITE activities go to Operation UNITE's homepage - http://www.operationunite.org -- and click on the "Newsroom" link.