PIKEVILLE - Operation UNITE has appointed its first community coordinator and hopes to eventually place one in all Eastern Kentucky communities.

Debbie Trusty, of East Point, will work out of Pikeville City Hall and will be responsible for coordinating the various services that can assist callers with all manner of issues relating to the drug problem.

Trusty is a social worker with varied experience who has worked in the juvenile justice area as well as many facets of drug treatment.

"It's going to be a busy and challenging position," Trusty said. "I have only had the position since Monday and have already lined up nine speaking engagements."

Trusty says that she will start on her first task immediately, which will involve "creating a clearinghouse for services available. Eventually I will produce a manual of contacts for many facets of drug treatment that are offered in the area. UNITE is a three-pronged effort with education and awareness being an important weapon in the war on drugs."

For now, Trusty can be reached through the Main Street Renaissance program in Pikeville and will soon have her own phone line hooked up. She will be in Frankfort this Friday as Gov. Ernie Fletcher proclaims the month of September as the annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.