The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Wyoming Report

February 11, 2010

New program targets prescription drug abuse

By Mary Catherine Brooks

“We Check,” a new Wyoming County program that provides information about those convicted of drug charges to pharmacies and doctors, will be implemented beginning March 1, according to county Prosecuting Attorney Rick Staton.

“Prescription drugs are bigger business than any other illegal drug, crack, cocaine, marijuana, meth labs, or heroin,” Staton emphasized.

“The purpose of the program is to better inform health care professionals of who has been convicted of drug crimes in the county,” Staton said. “The professionals can use this information to help determine whether these defendants are doctor shopping or attempting to obtain prescriptions illegally.

“Prescription drug crimes are the number one drug crime in the county, far exceeding illegal drugs such as crack or cocaine,” Staton said.

“I am continuing my commitment to do everything it takes to fight the drug problem in Wyoming County.”

All pharmacies and physicians in the county are participating, Staton said.

Updated drug offender convictions, from both circuit and magistrate courts, will be provided to health care professionals on a monthly basis.

“I think it’s another tool in our arsenal to prevent drug addicts and dealers from doctor shopping,” Staton emphasized.

“The success of the program depends on the extent to which doctors check the list. They have the right to refuse treatment or filling prescriptions.

“We want to provide them with all the information we can about who may be trying to access prescription drugs.

“Anything we can do to get more information to the public about who is dealing drugs and how can help us in our efforts.”

Also as part of the program, Staton’s office sponsored a contest in which students from both Westside and Wyoming County East high schools could provide logo designs. Fifteen entries were submitted from both schools. Rainmaker Media, LLC, served as judges and cleaned up the winning design for professional reproduction, Staton explained.

Two Wyoming County East High School students, Kaitlin Martin and Erika Goad, designed the winning logo for the program. Each winner received an IPod Touch, paid for from the prosecuting attorney’s drug forfeiture fund.

The logo will be used to advertise the health care professional’s participating in the program, Staton explained.

“The graphics company was very much impressed with the submissions from the two high schools,” Staton said. “The decision was difficult.

“The final logo design reflects our partnership with health care professionals to keep illegal drugs out of the hands of offenders.”

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