NEWS9 talked to Wetzel County police officials and prosecutors about the drug that is now at the forefront of the area's biggest troubles.

Sheriff James Hoskins said that when he started in 2005, prescription drugs were the main issue in the county. He said heroin has now surpassed that.

"We know that people are selling it; we know people are using it. There have been arrests made by all agencies in the area," said Hoskins.

Several heroin busts in the area have been in the news recently. Earlier in July, Tori Hinkle was arrested by the New Martinsville Police Department and pleaded guilty to a heroin charge. Also, Kevin Thompson is in jail on a sentence of one to 15 years on the charge of possession with intent to deliver.

Hoskins said cracking down on heroin in the community is not just a law enforcement issue. He said people also need to be aware of what is going on around them.

"We need the community to be our eyes and ears for law enforcement. If they have information, they can give it to us anonymously, and we'll take care of it from there," said Hoskins.

Detective Donny Harris at the New Martinsville Police Department said one of the reasons it's so important to carefully watch out for heroin flowing into the city is because other crimes sometimes come with it. He said thefts and break-ins can occur when addicts are searching for a way to support their habit.