OFFICIALS: OXYCONTIN STILL PROBLEM IN TAZEWELL COUNTY

TAZEWELL, Va. - The abuse of the pain killer OxyContin is still a
significant problem in Tazewell County representing a significant portion
of the county's judicial caseload, according to prosecutors. "It has
leveled off, and maybe has actually decreased somewhat, but OxyContin is
still the drug of choice in Tazewell County and I'm sure the surrounding
area," said Commonwealth Attorney Dennis Lee. "While not quite the problem
we saw a year and a half ago, OxyContin is still one of the driving forces
behind our criminal caseload."

The abuse of the prescription pain killer had reached epidemic proportions
in the county two years ago. OxyContin contains oxycodone, a very strong
narcotic pain reliever similar to morphine. The drug is designed so that
the oxycodone is slowly released over time, allowing it to be used twice
daily. However, breaking, chewing, crushing or snorting the pain killer
causes a large amount of oxycodone to be released from the tablet all at
once resulting in a potentially dangerous or fatal overdose.

Lee said law enforcement officials are seeing a smaller number of new
addicts. However, repeat offenders and existing addicts remain a
significant problem. Although many area residents were "doctor shopping"
for OxyContin at the onset of the drug epidemic, many of the local abusers
are now getting the narcotic from out-of-state suppliers.

"Initially, doctor shopping was a huge problem," Lee said. "But now, based
on what we are hearing from the officers, the interviews and the arrests we
make, the majority of it is coming from out of state. I think now, by and
large, a lot of the OxyContin is coming from Washington, D.C., Maryland,
North Carolina and sometimes areas further away. It's people with contacts
from out of the area who are having it brought in."

Lee said some local addicts also are doctor-shopping in other states.

Lee said cocaine, and other oxycodone-based narcotics such as Tylox, are
once again seen as a new threat in the county. He said officials also are
seeing an increase in cases involving the drug crystal meth, also known as
"crank."

"It's a high-powered stimulant that is basically made in home labs," Lee
said. "It is very dangerous because it is cooked up by people who I
wouldn't want cooking dinner for me - more or less a schedule II drug."

However, the biggest problem in the county remains the abuse of OxyContin.
Despite increased educational efforts in the community, cooperation from
the medical community and stiff jury sentences for abuses, the street value
of the narcotic has actually increased in recent months.

Lee said those who are apprehended for the abuse of OxyContin, and opt for
a jury trial, face the wrath of a local community angered by the abuse of
the prescription narcotic. He cited a recent example of the jury verdict
against Steve Allen Shelton, 34, of the Mill Creek section of Raven, who
was the operator of the so-called "Mill Creek Drive Through."

A jury deliberated for only 20 minutes before finding Shelton guilty of one
count of conspiracy to distribute OxyContin, one count of possession of
OxyContin with the intent to distribute, two counts of the distribution of
OxyContin and three misdemeanor counts of the possession of a schedule II
substance with the intent to distribute. The jury recommended a sentence of
83 years in prison.

Lee said Shelton was selling drugs out of a neighbor's mobile home, and
people would line up down the street and pull into the driveway and wait to
purchase drugs.

"I really feel that is a strong indicator of how our community feels about
drug abusers and I feel they will be dealt with very harshly by the
courts," Lee said. "We feel the ones who take their chances on a jury will
be met with a very unsympathetic judicial system."

Lee said future community meetings are planned next spring to address the
drug problem, and a meeting is planned in February with the local medical
community in Bluefield, Va., and Bluefield, W.Va. Lee said officials also
are seeking grant funding for the establishment of a proposed drug court in
the county. If the grant funding is approved, the earliest the court would
be operational is 2004.