May 23, 2013
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has convinced the White House to include Hardin County in the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
McConnell said Wednesday that he has gotten word from Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske that his request has been approved.
That means more federal resources to combat illegal drugs in an area that has seen a significant increase in drug-related crimes.
McConnell met with Kerlikowske earlier this month to talk about the drug problems facing Kentucky.
McConnell said more than 80 Kentuckians are dying in Kentucky each month from drug overdoses. That, he said, is more than are killed in car crashes in the state.
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