OXYCONTIN ABUSE BLAMED FOR PROSTITUTION TROUBLES

HARLAN, Ky. -- Harlan County authorities blame OxyContin for bringing a
big-city problem to their small-town community.

They point to a case of a Harlan County man charged with prostituting his
wife to generate money to buy OxyContin.

Merle Glenn Hensley, 34, of Wallins Creek, is accused of making his wife
solicit motorists on U.S. 119 at Coldiron.

Harlan County Sheriff Steve Duff said the arrest shows just how far people
are willing to go to feed their addictions to the prescription drug.

"It's amazing at the complaints that we've had on this problem from the
residents in that area," Detective Roger Hall said.

"Prostitution is something that you hear of in big cities, but not in
places like Harlan County."

Hensley was charged with promoting prostitution by intimidation. His wife,
Jennifer Adams Hensley, 22, was charged with prostitution. He is being held
in the Harlan County Detention Center under $15,000 bond. She was released
shortly after her arrest.

The sheriff's office had received several complaints that women were
causing traffic hazards on U.S. 119. Some motorists complained that they
have narrowly missed drivers who stop abruptly to talk to prostitutes.

Duff said Jennifer Hensley propositioned undercover officers.

"It's all a byproduct of OxyContin. Seems like everything we investigate
has a trail back to OxyContin," Hall said.

At his arraignment, Merle Hensley pleaded innocent. A preliminary hearing
has been set for Monday.