VA. PANEL TO STUDY ABUSE OF PAINKILLER

Virginia Attorney General Mark L. Earley announced yesterday the creation
of a statewide task force to study the increase in abuse of the
prescription painkiller OxyContin, just as a regional medical examiner
called the problem an epidemic. OxyContin abuse is responsible for at least
39 deaths in southwestern Virginia since 1997, including 18 last year,
officials said.

The creation of the task force comes after meetings among Earley (R), law
enforcement officials from several neighboring states and the makers of the
drug, which is a synthetic form of morphine and is often used to ease the
suffering of terminal cancer patients.

In the past two years, OxyContin has risen in popularity to a point where
officials in some Virginia jurisdictions believe it could overtake cocaine
and heroin in availability and sales. Authorities have reported sharp
increases in the illegal sale and abuse of the prescription drug and the
number of crimes associated with it.

"The widespread illegal trafficking and abuse of OxyContin in southwest
Virginia has created a surge in criminal behavior," Earley said yesterday.
"This task force will examine the problem, while gathering information on
ways to address and curb the abuse of OxyContin and other prescription drugs."

The state medical examiner's office in Roanoke confirmed yesterday that the
number of deaths associated with the drug since 1997 in southwestern
Virginia has risen to 39, including a revised total of 18 last year and one
so far this year. Assistant medical examiner William Massello said
yesterday that more deaths could be added as cases are reviewed.

"This is an epidemic of drug deaths," Massello said. "I've been here for 20
years and I've never seen anything like it."

Although no confirmed deaths have been reported in Northern Virginia, local
agencies have investigated dozens of overdoses and have made several
arrests in the past few months related to illegal possession of the drug
and thefts that involved thousands of dollars' worth of the pills.

The 25-member Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse -- which includes
doctors, health care workers, pharmacists and local law enforcement
officials -- is scheduled to meet for the first time next month in
southwestern Virginia.

Col. W. Gerald Massengill, superintendent of the Virginia State Police and
a member of the task force, said yesterday that he hopes the panel will
lead to enforcement strategies and prevention.

"It's a very real problem, and it needs to be addressed," Massengill said.
"I think it's a good idea to bring together all of the players in trying to
address this problem that is so apparent in Virginia and several other states."