It’s a story that won’t make our newscasts because it’s not local.
But I’ve been reading up on a big drug bust down the road in Bristol which may be a perfect example of how the illegal drug trade is changing in Southwest Virginia.
I make it a point to check the federal “pacer” system every work day.
It’s basically a rundown of all trial hearings going on inside the Federal court system and all the arrests from the FBI, ATF, DEA, or Secret Service.
I won’t get into many of the particulars but the DEA just made a huge bust in the Bristol/Washington County area that netted several dozen arrests.
It’s also being portrayed in court documents as a case study of how some drug dealers in Southwest Virginia are giving up substances like crack cocaine and heroin, and switching to pills such as Oxycontin.
I know I’ve heard from several of my sources in local police departments and sheriffs’ offices that prescription drugs such as Oxycontin is making a big comeback in some rural areas in amounts not seen in five or six years.
It’s just one more thing to watch out for as you raise your kids, pick your friends, etc.
Any police officer will tell you, drugs bring with it crime.
Addicts steal stuff to feed their habits.
That’s why you may not be an addict, but illegal drugs very much effects everyone.
Posted by Scott Leamon at 06:53 PM. Filed under: leamon •
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