A higher percentage of Northern Kentucky teen-agers drink, smoke and use illicit drugs than their peers in the Commonwealth, according to a 1998 statewide survey.

        But only 11 percent, or 540 of the estimated 5,100 Northern Kentucky teens and children who need substance abuse treatment are receiving help, according to a local needs assessment completed in October.

        On a statewide basis, Kentucky has the highest smoking rate in the U.S., and 22 percent of Kentucky middle school students say they are regular smokers — more than twice the national average of 9 percent.

        It's because of these statistics that the Kentucky legislature has created the Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy, or KY-ASAP.

        Northern Kentucky's ASAP board — charged with developing a plan for curbing illegal drug usage and smoking and drinking from cradle to grave — is among 14 local boards covering 43 Kentucky counties, said Larry Carrico, executive director of KY-ASAP. By December, 2003, the goal is to have all of Kentucky's 120 counties represented by ASAP boards.

        On Wednesday, the KY-ASAP Board for Northern Kentucky will receive a $200,000 check from the state to help in its mission. The money, which comes from tobacco settlement funds, is part of an initial $1.8 million statewide disbursement.

        The Northern Kentucky ASAP Board has targeted the high rate of tobacco usage in the region, especially among youths, as well as the high rate of alcohol usage by minors as the main problems to address, said David Olds, executive director of the Mental Health Association of Northern Kentucky.

        “The clinical picture I see in the Northern Kentucky area is that there's a really strong prevalence of alcohol and drug use,” said Dr. Russ Radenhausen, director of substance abuse services at NorthKey Community Care, which provides outpatient counseling for mental health and substance abuse problems and support services for mental retardation and developmental disabilities. “And it often starts very, very early on. I've seen kids start as early as 6 or 7.”

        Under the Northern Kentucky ASAP Board's proposal, most of Northern Kentucky's initial ASAP money would go to three areas. They are:

        • A general public awareness campaign.

        “The Tobacco Prevention Coalition has a public relations campaign that we would like to extend in terms of time and penetration,” Mr. Olds said. “We want to go to more media outlets and increase the length of the message. We'd also like to include alcohol and other substance abuse cessation messages with that campaign.”

        • The formation of county or community coalitions in the eight-county Northern Kentucky region. The groups will bring together parents, community leaders and others who are interested in addressing the issues of tobacco usage and substance abuse by youths, largely through the development of positive alternatives.

        • Paying for training and materials for individuals in community centers, churches and other groups who are willing to be trained in a particular alcohol or tobacco prevention program.

        The Northern Kentucky ASAP Board also plans to set aside about 30 percent of the funds for new treatment or to enhance existing services.

        For youths, parental involvement is critical to curb substance abuse, Mr. Olds said.

        “A number of studies have shown that kids are less likely to start smoking or using drugs, if they know their parents strongly disapprove of that,” Mr. Olds said. “Parents need to be involved in their kids' lives and let them know that there will be sanctions if they get caught (drinking, smoking or using drugs).”

        Mr. Carrico said part of the intent of the KY-ASAP program is to let local communities who best know their substance abuse problems to address them. The program also is designed to “fill in the gaps between needs and resources,” he said, and make existing substance abuse programs more effective.

        “The idea is that these local boards will come together in a spirit of "What's best for the community?', rather than "What's best for my agency?'” Mr. Carrico said.

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