Four West Virginia northern panhandle counties are getting federal help in their efforts to reduce prescription drug abuse and drug trafficking.

 

The Office of National Drug Control Policy has designated Hancock, Brooke, Ohio and Marshall counties as high intensity drug trafficking areas. The designation gives the counties access to federal resources and information sharing among federal, state and local enforcement.

 

“It gives us manpower, equipment and hopefully gives us more tools to combat the drug problem,” Hancock County Sheriff Mike White said.

The exact amount of money coming to the panhandle is still unclear.  U.S. Attorney Bill Ihlenfeld said those details still have to be figured out.

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Rep. David B. McKinley announced the designation Wednesday.

 

Ohio County Sheriff Pat Butler said the additional resources will police fight illegal drugs coming into the Ohio Valley by Interstate 70 from other areas.

 

“We're in a crisis mode as far as I’m concerned. All of our crimes are drug related and our crimes are getting worse in our communities, in our panhandle and in our tri-state area,” said White.

Rockefeller said he will hold a roundtable discussion on drug abuse among young people on Sept. 15 in Wheeling. Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.