The annual Kentucky Prosecutors Conference wrapped up today in Lexington.
The conference allowed prosecutors to share ideas with lawmakers on how to combat the Commonwealth’s prevalent legal issues, such as a juvenile crime rate brought upon by an explosion in synthetic drug abuse.
Christian County Attorney Mike Foster appealed for increased personnel funding.
Foster, who has served the post for 33 years, told lawmakers that at least 75% of the 15,000 cases his offices handles each year are drug-related. He says his and other prosecutors’ offices will spend the next year working to implement changes to the state’s juvenile criminal code, but they need the staff to cover the case loads.
“We have a large jail in Christian County and I dare say…the basis for (most charges) is drug abuse,” said Foster. “These programs don’t work unless we have proper staffing,”
Christian County already has juvenile and adult drug courts and is also in the process of establishing a veterans’ treatment court.
Foster was one of about 600 attendees and one of 20 to be recognized by Attorney General Jack Conway with the 2014 Outstanding County Attorney Award.