U.S. Department of Justice, Offices of the United States Attorneys; West Virginia Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being; West Virginia Prevention Resource Center; West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services; Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) – 2011
Report of a summit on the growing problem of prescription drug abuse and its consequences. Presents a summary of the problem, noting the negative impact of prescription drug abuse in West Virginia, cultural attitudes towards prescription drug sharing and use, and the challenges to law enforcement. Describes law enforcement efforts to address the prescription drug problem in West Virginia. Also describes several cross-disciplinary initiatives to address the problem in the areas of prevention, intervention, treatment, juvenile drug use, drug courts, quit lines, public awareness campaigns, prescription drug disposal programs, and controlled substances monitoring. Summarizes state and national developments since the summit was held. Provides a series of recommendations to reduce prescription drug abuse. These include: education of medical professionals, school and community public education campaigns, controlled substances monitoring programs, prescription drug “take back” programs, law enforcement focus on prescription drug trafficking and diversion, and early intervention and treatment programs.
