Pubdate: Thu, 13 Dec 2001
Source: Logan Banner, The (WV)
Section: Banner Viewpoint
Copyright: 2001 The Logan Banner
Website: www.loganbanner.com
Contact:  P.O. Box 720, Logan, WV 25601
Phone: (304) 752-6950
Fax: (304) 752-1239

MTVNEWS FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE

Thursday night, the MTVNews Special on OxyContin abuse will air at 10 p.m. 
on MTV.

MTVNews crews and producers worked many days and nights in the Mingo County 
town of Gilbert, filming people affected by OxyContin abuse and those 
trapped by addiction to the pain killer.

OxyContin, a very strong and very addictive pain killer, has been on the 
market for the past couple of years and is only supposed to be prescribed 
by doctors to people in dire need of relief from chronic pain. But, in this 
area, as well as many other areas of the country, the miracle drug is being 
abused. At least one area doctor has been arrested for abusing his ability 
to supply his patients with OxyContin prescriptions.

Only through the joint efforts of local law enforcement, groups such as the 
Gilbert-area Drug Coalition and people in the communities can the abuse 
come to an end.

The Gilbert-area Drug Coalition has been waging a war on drug abuse for the 
past year. The attention the small group has brought to the southern West 
Virginia drug problem has helped to shine a light on a very dark problem.

The MTVNews special will further enlighten people of the terrible price 
most addicts have to pay, especially those addicted to OxyContin. 
Hopefully, people will sit up and take notice that drug abuse leads to pain 
and suffering and many times, death.

We applaud MTVNews and the Gilbert-area Drug Coalition for their efforts to 
help educate the people of the coalfield region and for their concern for 
our people's lives.
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