Pubdate: Sun, 07 Sep 2003 Source: Intelligencer & Wheeling News-Register (WV) Copyright: 2003 The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register Contact: http://www.intellnews.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1633 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES NEEDED IN DRUG WAR We doubt that many members of the Wheeling Rotary Club were surprised last week when United States Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert told them illegal drugs are readily available in this area. Though Seibert provided details most of the Rotarians probably didn't have previously, it is no secret that illegal drugs are a serious problem in the Ohio Valley. As Seibert pointed out, "any drug anyone wants can be acquired within an hour." Seibert did repeat something several law enforcement officials have pointed out during recent years: The local drug problem doesn't appear to be a home-grown one in the sense that many suppliers of illegal substances come here from other, bigger cities. Higher prices can be obtained here and the danger - presumably, from both other criminals and police - is lower. Some local communities have "task forces" of law enforcement officers whose primary task is cracking down on illegal drugs. But, as Seibert pointed out, they don't have enough personnel to mount a comprehensive attack on the problem. Local residents have demonstrated they have no tolerance for illegal drugs, most recently through the Hopeful City's "Holy Ground" campaign. It may be time to match their effort by beefing up drug "task force" programs by law enforcement agencies at both the local and federal levels. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk