Contact #: 859-622-6506

Operation UNITE, which stands for Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education, serves 29 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky . Unite School Liaisons, Gary L. Perkins and Danny Godbey also extend UNITE educational programming to school districts belonging to the SE/SC Cooperative.

UNITE was launched in April 2003, by Congressman Hal Rogers and United States Drug Czar John P. Walters. The comprehensive counter-drug initiative was established after Congressman Rogers read the Lexington Herald-Leader's Special Report: “ Prescription for Pain” which was published in January 2003. The article exposed the addiction and corruption associated with drug abuse in southern and eastern Kentucky . After the realization that the counties involved in this scourge were the counties in the Fifth Congressional District, Congressman Rogers formed Operation UNITE.

The region-wide program consists of three core components:

Law Enforcement Investigation – UNITE has created three narcotics task forces – the Big Sandy, Kentucky River and Cumberland – to focus on drug interdiction, confiscation and undercover operations within their coverage area. UNITE's 34 law enforcement officers target corrupt health care professionals and street-level drug dealers throughout the Fifth Congressional District. Additionally, U.S. Attorney Greg Van Tatenhove has committed resources to provide Assistant Commonwealth Attorneys to help overworked prosecutors.

Treatment – Individuals seeking treatment, as well as family members in need, can call 1-866-90-UNITE and receive treatment information. UNITE's treatment referral coordinator is prepared to help individuals seeking treatment, determine the appropriate method and location of treatment.Drug courts provide another avenue for addicts to become productive citizens as an alternative to jail time. While in Drug court, addicts work on their education and receive treatment, drug testing and mentoring from the drug court teams. Currently, UNITE funds 17 drug courts in southern and eastern Kentucky . UNITE is also planning to establish a treatment voucher program to help people who cannot afford treatment.

Education - UNITE serves to educate and activate individuals, through the development of community coalitions, to no longer accept or tolerate the drug culture in southern and eastern Kentucky . UNITE has reached out to existing groups and has developed new coalitions where none existed. Community Coalition members do important work by being involved with several different committees, including: Neighborhood Watch, Court Watch/Judicial Review, Education, Medical Advisory and Grant Writing.

Coalitions also include faith-based groups allowing numerous ways for church members to become involved through youth activities, counseling, substance abuse after-care and providing ministry to hurting family members of addicts.UNITE Clubs will provide research-based drug education through trained liaisons in schools, allowing children to become involved in drug-free programs. Children will participate in programs by doing community service; developing drug-free goals; and leadership projects, concentrating on communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills. UNITE  provides a drug counselor in every county across the 29 county region.