Officials: Drug problems an epidemic

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May 25, 2011

By Mannix Porterfield Register-Herald Reporter The Register-Herald Wed May 25, 2011, 05:14 PM EDT

— An average of two people a week turn up dead in Wyoming County, their lives snuffed out prematurely via an overdose of prescription drugs in a societal problem public officials warn has escalated to the level of an epidemic.

Less obvious is the fear gripping small communities, evidenced by the signs warning any strangers who happen by that the homes are protected by sophisticated security sprouting in local yards, said Prosecuting Attorney Rick Staton.

For those reasons and others, Staton and two Wyoming County lawmakers said they disagree sharply with Sen. Evan Jenkins, D-W.Va., in his insistence the issue can be resolved exclusively by the West Virginia Controlled Substances Advisory Board.

See the complete story in Thursday's edition of The Register-Herald.

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