Beshear, Rogers to Speak at Prescription Drug Abuse Summit

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers are among several elected officials slated to speak about prescription drug abuse this week at a conference in Florida.The National Rx Drug Abuse Summit is organized by the Kentucky-based Operation UNITE. It aims to address the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in the southeastern United States.The event kicks off tomorrow with Rogers's remarks and a keynote from the U.S. Drug Czar. Beshear will speak afterward during a general session. Seminars during the conference focus on identifying prescription abuse issues, educating the public on the dangers of drug abuse and providing ideas for how states can track and fight illegal prescriptions. Officials from the federal government will also speak, as will elected officers from other states dealing with prescription abuse problems, including Florida and West Virginia.Beshear has often encouraged state lawmakers to pass laws that crack down on so-called pill mills, which illegally deal prescription drugs. A bill the governor championed this year is expected to be put to a vote Thursday, on the last day of the current state legislative session.