METH USE GROWING IN STATE, U.S. ATTORNEY REPORTS

West Virginia is experiencing an explosion in illegal production and use of
methamphetamine, but may be making headway on abuse of OxyContin, according
to an assessment released today by Kasey Warner, U.S. attorney for the
Southern District.

About 14 percent of state high school students report using methamphetamine
- - 5 percent higher that the national average, according to federal
statistics cited in the assessment.

And meth labs, once clustered around the Parkersburg area, are spreading
into hollows and hills in the southern and eastern parts of the state,
Warner said.

Last year, police dismantled more than 100 meth labs statewide; compared to
13 the year before and only two in 2000, according to the federal Drug
Enforcement Agency.

More than half those labs were discovered in Wood County. Warner blamed the
meth epidemic there for a one-quarter increase in domestic violence cases.

A special task force has arrested and indicted some major producers in Wood
County, he said.

"Sadly, I think the meth problem is going to get worse before it gets
better," Warner said.

However, police and prosecutors may be making a dent in the abuse of
OxyContin and other prescription drugs.

"Targeted law enforcement has been moderately successful in getting a hold
on the corrupt medical professionals who facilitate this abuse and on those
who traffic this dangerous drug," the assessment said.

Still, many former addicts are turning to heroin, which is now so pure that
it can be inhaled to produce an Oxy-like high.

"We thought this was a runaway problem, and it remains a problem, but I
think the word is getting out we're serious about this," Warner said.

The assessment also said that crack, a potent form of cocaine, is becoming
more popular among middle-class and rural residents who had used powder
cocaine. Since its appearance in the mid 1980s, crack use has been
concentrated in West Virginia's cities.

Cocaine users in West Virginia appear to be committing more violent crimes,
Warner said. More than half of state drug convictions involve cocaine.

Police also report larger quantities of marijuana being transported through
the state. Instead of duffle bags of marijuana in the trunk of a car,
they're finding more tractor-trailers carrying the drug among their cargo.

West Virginia consistently ranks in the top ten for marijuana production,
according to the DEA.

The state also has a higher proportion of drug-related federal sentences -
56 percent, compared to 41 percent nationwide.

Warner said he gathered the materials for his assessment from the National
Drug Intelligence Center, interviews with law enforcement officials, and
the U.S. Attorney's Office own records. He said he has drafted a written
report with more documentation to be released within the next few months.