WASHINGTON, DC - In light of the recent death of a Beckley officer in the line of duty as he was attempting to curb drug sales and a Huntington drug bust that netted 80 arrests, U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) renewed his call to the U.S. Attorney General for a drug summit to combat the illegal drug trade festering in the Mountain State and pledged to proceed with the organization of the summit with or without the Justice Department's involvement.

            "My heart and prayers go out to the family of this brave fallen officer," Rahall said. "Cpl. Smith's death is a somber reminder of the growing tragedy of illegal drugs in our communities and of the sacrifices our courageous law enforcement officers are making to keep our communities safe."

            In a letter sent to Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez on Wednesday, Rahall urged the General to respond in short order to his three-month-old request to convene a drug summit of high-level law enforcement officers called by the Justice Department, including representatives from the Department, local law enforcement and elected officials, to develop a crisis management plan for the City of Huntington as it attempts to tackle the increasing problem of drug abuse on its streets. 

            "After three months, the patience of everyone is growing thin," Rahall wrote. "Please know that should I not receive any information from you between now and mid-September, I will proceed to organize a summit and certainly include your Department to the extent you wish to be involved."

            Rahall stressed to Gonzalez the importance of the Department's involvement, given that the drugs in West Virginia come from beyond our state's borders.

            "The recent town hall meeting in Huntington only confirms what many of us are already aware, the escalating drug problem comes from beyond our state borders in large part," Rahall said. "Given the drug trade and traffic that are being transported across state lines and on the National Highway System, federal action is entirely appropriate and constitutional.  For your Department not to be involved in this effort would be a travesty at best and an abrogation of your constitutional duties at worst."

            Rahall also pointed to the success of "Operation Moneyton" in Huntington as clear evidence of what can be achieved when government combines resources at all levels.

            "I commend all involved, and while this was a success, it also exposes the enormity of the illegal drug trade festering in the Mountain State," Rahall said.

            In Huntington, for example, the violent crime rate is 604 per 100,000 residents and significantly above the national average of 465, according to FBI reports. It has been more than a year since the tragic deaths of four teenagers in an apparent drug-related shooting awoke the city to the extreme perils of drug abuse.