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HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) - Kentucky State Police released its 2023 Crime in Kentucky report.

According to the report, drug and narcotic offenses increased from 2022, being the second highest behind larceny and theft.

WYMT Mountain News Weekend Edition newscast at 11 p.m. on Saturday

Trooper Matt Gayheart, KSP Post 13 Public Affairs Officer, said they see drugs in the community every day.

“It’s one of those things where we can combat the drugs, we’re able to combat a lot of the other crimes associated with that drug use as well,” he said. “It’s something that law enforcement takes a great step in trying to prevent. Unfortunately, the reality is we’ll probably never be able to get rid of it completely.”

London Police Department Public Affairs Officer Hobie Daugherty said the task force they created in Laurel County has been successful.

“The task force actually surpassed the number that they had seized in years past, with the amount of narcotics that they have gotten off the street,” he said.

Daugherty said they also work to educate students on the dangers of drugs inside of the classroom.

“Just to start at an appropriate age to let them know that there are these dangers out there. To protect themselves, so they can make a better-informed decision themselves,” he explained.

Gayheart said working with kids is important.

“I think that’s where it starts, with educating them, and making them understand why drugs are not an alternative that they can use to get out of a bad situation,” he added.