OXYCONTIN BILL SHOULD SPUR NEEDED DEBATE IN STATE

It's probably a good idea that a bill has been introduced in the West
Virginia Legislature that would ban the main ingredient in the popular
painkiller OxyContin.

Whether the bill should be passed or not is another matter.

Senate Majority Leader Truman Chafin, D-Mingo, introduced the bill Monday,
the last day he could.

Chafin told The Associated Press he was prompted to push the bill because
OxyContin abuse is becoming a tragic situation, especially in southern West
Virginia. Some law enforcement officials in North Central West Virginia say
abuse of the painkiller also is starting to become a problem here.

Making OxyContin illegal wouldn't eliminate the problem. Abusers simply
would find it illegally, the way they get marijuana, methamphetamines,
crack or heroin. And OxyContin can provide much-needed relief for some
seriously ill people.

But it also seems pretty clear that violent crime is on the rise in our
state, and that it's linked to drug use. And quite often, it appears to be
linked to OxyContin.

Chafin anticipates stiff opposition to his bill from pharmacy lobbyists.

But "anything that dangerous, that destructive, causes that much damage,
let's take a look at it," he told The AP.

Without coming out in favor or against the bill, we agree with Chafin that
it's worth considering the issue.

Even if the bill doesn't become law, state legislators likely will talk
some more about the growing problem of drug abuse in our state. They'll
also talk about how drug abuse can lead to crimes like burglary, robbery or
even murder.

That kind of discussion alone will make the introduction of this bill
worthwhile.