Drug Czar Uses Kentucky Experience to Fight Prescription Abuse

By Gabe Bullard

Published March 10, 2011 at 9:17 PM EST

The White House Drug Czar is using information gathered during a recent visit to Kentucky in his plan to fight prescription pill abuse.Gil Kerlikowske visited the commonwealth last month and toured communities hit by prescription abuse. He spoke Thursday with the newly-formed congressional caucus on prescription pill abuse, which is co-chaired by Representative Hal Rogers of Kentucky.Kerlikowske says a combination of education and enforcement should be used to fight prescription abuse.While in Kentucky, Kerlikowske echoed Rogers’s earlier call for the Governor of Florida to allow that state's prescription pill tracking system to be implemented. It's believed many of the prescriptions abused in Kentucky come from Florida, and the governor has proposed cutting the program to save money and protect Floridians' privacy.

Can we count on your support?

Louisville Public Media depends on donations from members – generous people like you – for the majority of our funding. You can help make the next story possible with a donation of $10 or $20. We'll put your gift to work providing news and music for our diverse community.