13 OF 17 ARRESTS INVOLVE OXYCONTIN

'Doctor shopping' by people who start out with a pain problem may explain
the growing Oxycontin drug addiction problem in this area, one law
enforcement official says. "I would say that the problem we keep having
with this pain killer drug being sold illegally on the street is coming
from 'doctor shopping,' -- people getting a prescription for it and going
around to other doctors and getting the same prescription," said Livingston
Police Chief Roger Phillips.

It could account for the growing number of Overton Countians being arrested
in an on-going undercover investigation by the Livingston Police Dept., the
FBI, the TBI, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol's Criminal Investigation
Division, he thinks.

"We just had our third roundup in this on-going investigation which, so
far, has resulted in the arrest of about 100 suspects on violations of drug
laws," Phillips said.

That latest roundup took place yesterday, as a large group of officers
served indictments issued by the Overton County grand jury.

As of this morning, 17 persons had been arrested, and 13 of the cases
involve allegations of the illegal sale of Oxycontin.

Oxycontin is a strong pain killer that is very addictive and which is often
prescribed for back pain, according to Chief Phillips.

"A few years ago, it was the painkiller Tylox that we kept finding in these
kind of cases," he said.

"But this Oxycontin has taken over in our area now, and we are told it is
very addictive and gives the user a feeling of euphoria."

He said the undercover officers working the year-long investigation have
made their "buys" everywhere, "from store parking lots to side streets and
homes."

"We seized five vehicles in connection with this latest roundup," he said.
Illegal drug sales made out of vehicles give law enforcers the right to
seize the vehicles.

Chief Phillips said the investigation is not over.

"As long as we're having this problem in our town, we're going to keep this
investigation going," he said.

According to a list issued today by the Livingston Police Dept., those
arrested yesterday are as follows:

* Greg Taylor of Oakley Drive, Livingston, charged with three counts of
sale and delivery of Hydrocodone, sale and delivery of Oxycontin, and sale
and delivery of a Schedule 4 drug.

* Willie Shepherd of Alpine, Tenn., charged with sale and delivery of
Oxycontin.

* Gary Pressley of Oakley Drive, Livingston, charged with sale and delivery
of Hydrocodone.

* Rodger Sidwell of Oakley Drive, Livingston, charged with sale and
delivery of Oxycontin.

* Irene Peek Flowers of Oakley Drive, Livingston, charged with sale and
delivery of Oxycontin.

* Tammy Ford of Livingston, charged with sale and delivery of Oxycontin,
sale and delivery of marijuana, and sale and delivery of a Schedule 4 drug.

* Edgar (Eddie) Ray of Frogtown Estates, Allons, charged with sale and
delivery of Oxycontin.

* Paul Stewart, Carr Ave., Livingston, charged with two counts of sale and
delivery of Oxycontin.

* Shelia Smith, Airport Road, Livingston, charged with sale and delivery of
Oxycontin.

* Carolyn Sue Talley of Hidden Valley Trailer Park, Livingston, charged
with sale and delivery of Oxycontin.

* Jeff Taylor of Oakley Drive, Livingston, charged with sale and delivery
of Hydrocodone.

* Frankie Ford of Buena Vista Drive, Livingston, charged with two counts of
sale and delivery of Oxycontin and two counts of sale and delivery of
marijuana.

* Randall Denson of Livingston, charged with sale and delivery of Oxycontin.

* Larry Sidwell of Hi Tech Drive, Livingston, charged with sale and
delivery of Tylox and sale and delivery of a counterfeit drug.

* Amanda Lopez of Burgess Street, Livingston, charged with sale and
delivery of Oxycontin.

* Freddie Moore of Burgess Street, Livingston, charged with sale and
delivery of Oxycontin.

* Jimmie Denise Dunn of Woodland Street, Livingston, charged with sale and
delivery of Hydrocodone and sale and delivery of marijuana.

All of the accused are scheduled to be arraigned in Overton County Criminal
Court on June 16.