By AP
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky Republican U-S Senate candidate Rand Paul says the federal government should take a backseat to local initiatives to combat drug trafficking and addiction problems afflicting Kentucky. Paul toured an addiction recovery center Monday in Dixon, in Webster County. Paul says the anti-drug program should compete for federal funding in the traditional committee process, but says his preference is for local efforts to combat the problem.
His Democratic rival, Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, has suggested on the campaign trail that Paul doesn't realize how large the addiction issue has become in Kentucky.
Conway took part in a round-table discussion Monday afternoon where he heard pleas for help to combat a drug problem some called an epidemic. Conway criticized Paul for saying he doesn't think drugs are "a real pressing issue" in the race.