SENTENCES MATCH THE CRIMES IN OXY CASES

Last year, the southwestern Virginia and southern West Virginia region
gained a national reputation for the rapid proliferation of the abuse of
the prescription pain killer oxycodone, a drug that is often referred to by
the brand name OxyContin, and became known by the pejorative nickname,
"Hillbilly Heroin." For legitimate patients suffering from chronic pain,
oxycodone is said to be of great benefit. However, to drug abusers seeking
a "high" similar to that of heroin or morphine, OxyContin appeared to offer
a new opportunity. Sadly, the region has suffered several overdose deaths
due to oxycodone abuse, and the addictive nature of the drug has had a
direct impact on crime in the area.

A few McDowell County law enforcement officers attended sentencing hearings
at U.S. District Court in Bluefield on Monday. They were not in an official
capacity, but instead, sat in the gallery along side of civilians waiting
to see how the court would deal with drug traffickers who had been involved
in the Oxy trade. The Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Task Force
made the arrests in this case.

The court was tough. One ring leader - Arthur Graham Justice - got a
105-month sentence in spite of shedding tears in front of federal Judge
David Faber. The judge told Justice he had caught that act before in 1993,
at a prior federal sentencing. Although he cut him a break that time, the
court said it wasn't about to get burned again.

The system worked in this situation. Law enforcement officials went out,
pounded the pavement, developed leads, made controlled buys and made some
quality arrests that left the criminals very little wiggle room. As a
result, the defendants pleaded guilty because their qualified defense
attorneys explained it would be in their best interest.

Judge Faber weighed the circumstances of each case, then meted out stiff
sentences that matched the seriousness of the crime. Judgment was swift and
it appeared that the public was served.

But strangely, even the defendants seemed to benefit from the process.
Individuals who were unruly and defiant when they were brought in for their
initial appearances seemed more polite and remorseful after a few drug-free
months in prison.

While the abuse of prescription pain medications is not over, the actions
of law enforcement and the courts in these cases sends a strong message
that these crimes won't be tolerated.

That's a message the public must support as well.