DRUG FIGHT: TAZEWELL CITIZENS, GROUPS DESERVE SALUTE

We salute the combined efforts of law enforcement, medical personnel and
concerned citizens in Tazewell County who are engaged in an ongoing
struggle against widespread drug addiction and abuse in the region. The
OxyContin crisis reached near epidemic levels in Southwest Virginia last
year, but that crisis is slowly moderating.

However, officials are now warning of a possible new wave of drug abuse in
the region.

The latest threat is believed to center around hallucinogenic drugs,
including the so-called "party drugs" such as Ecstasy. The abuse of these
hallucinogenic drugs has been reported in Northern Virginia, and officials
fear a spread of such abuse in Southwest Virginia.

Despite the new threat, we are slowly winning the battle against OxyContin
abuse in Southwest Virginia, thanks in part to the efforts of the Substance
Abuse Task Force in Rural Appalachia and the cooperation received by the
task force from concerned parents and citizens, teachers and community leaders.

The task force, which is sponsoring community meetings across the area to
discuss the drug problem, is composed of the Tazewell County Narcotics Task
Force, the Virginia State Police Drug Diversion Unit, the Tazewell County
Sheriff's Department, the Tazewell County School Board, the Richlands
Police Department, the Commonwealth Attorney's office;

Cumberland Mountain Community Services, the Virginia National Guard Drug
Task Force, the Laurels, the Life Center of Galax, the Governor's Office on
Substance Abuse Prevention, D.A.R.E., the Tazewell County Office on Youth,
the Tazewell County Probation office, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and
local medical professionals, pastors and concerned citizens.

Every citizen - on both sides of the state line - should strongly support
the efforts of the task force, and encourage continued support from
parents, teachers, community leaders and concerned citizens in the ongoing
battle against the abuse of such narcotics in the region.

By working together, we can overcome this new crisis, and in return,
promote a healthy and drug-free lifestyle in Southwest Virginia.