STEARNS – “The laws that you passed will save lives,” Karen Kelly, director of Operation UNITE, told members of the Kentucky General Assembly’s Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary meeting Friday morning in McCreary County.
Kelly was one of several people to address House and Senate members on current efforts designed to counter the state’s substance abuse problems – including overdose deaths, prescription drug abuse and diversion, and methamphetamine.
“(Substance abuse) is everybody’s responsibility,” Kelly emphasized as she outlined ongoing investigation, treatment and education initiatives offered by UNITE. “We see a lot of enabling. We’re just trying to intervene early and often.”

Operation UNITE director Karen Kelly, bottom left, discusses youth and treatment initiatives with members of the Kentucky General Assembly’s Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary in McCreary County Friday morning.