LOUISVILLE - Days after Rand Paul said fighting drug abuse is not "a real pressing issue" facing Kentucky sheriffs, families and communities, the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police praised Jack Conway's record as Attorney General and endorsed him for U.S. Senate.

The State FOP, which represents more than 9,200 Kentucky law enforcement personnel and their families, specifically cited Conway's work to crackdown on prescription pill abuse and remove child pornography from the Internet.

Michael "Spike" Jones, President of the Kentucky State FOP, said, "Jack Conway has been a strong, effective Attorney General. From helping close down the prescription pill pipeline from Florida to confiscating 70,000 child pornography images, nobody is tougher on crime than Jack Conway. He knows how to protect Kentucky. Jack has worked shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement to fight crime, and he'll do the same in Washington."

The group said that Rand Paul did not submit responses to their questionnaire, did not attend the FOP candidate forum, and essentially did not respond at all.

"We're disappointed that Rand Paul didn't have the courtesy to respond to our law enforcement family," Jones said. "Local sheriffs are already stretched thin fighting the growing drug epidemic. From Rand Paul's weak approach to fighting drug abuse, it's clear Rand Paul doesn't understand crime, doesn't understand law enforcement and doesn't understand Kentucky."

Jack Conway said, "I'm humbled to have the support of a group that has fought for Kentucky's law enforcement for nearly 70 years. Day in and day out, these brave men and women are on the front lines of keeping our communities safe. Rand Paul has shown that he will handcuff local law enforcement-not criminals-in the fight against drugs. Rand is wrong. In Washington, I'll fight to make sure Kentucky's law enforcement has the tools it needs to do its job, and do it safely."

Established in 1941, the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police protects and fights for better working conditions, increased safety and job security for Kentucky's law enforcement.