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Heroin Emerges as an Issue in Kentucky Senate Race

Kentucky's increasing heroin problem has taken center stage as an issue in political advertising in the state's Senate race.

Democratic candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes' campaign is running radio ads across the state criticizing Republican Mitch McConnell for not taking a stance on a state bill that would've increased penalties for heroin traffickers. The ad says McConnell thinks solutions only come from Washington.

The McConnell campaign called the ad misleading. They noted McConnell was named Federal Legislator of the Year by the Kentucky Narcotics Officers' Association and said McConnell was able to expand a fedral anti-drug trafficking program into Jefferson and Hardin Counties. The program pays officers overtime to investigate drug traffickers.

Heroin overdose deaths in Kentucky increased to 230 in 2013 from 22 in 2011, a 945% increase in just two years.

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