U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) has called on U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to address the rising problem of drug trafficking and abuse in Huntington and Cabell County, asking the Nation's top law enforcement officer to call a summit of law enforcement leaders in Huntington to develop a crisis management plan to resolve the growing problem.

"Attorney General Gonzalez and the Justice Department have the unique ability to marshal significant resources in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse," Rahall said. "It's my hope that by going to the top, we can more quickly and efficiently take care of the problems here at home."

In a letter to Gonzalez, Rahall requests a meeting 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.

"Through a combination of community suggestions, the expertise of the Justice Department, the involvement of the Drug Enforcement Agency and the input of local law enforcement and officials, I believe we can develop a workable plan to stymie drug abuse in Huntington," Rahall said. "This is the first step of a long journey, but it's a big step."

Huntington Mayor David Felinton backs Rahall's efforts.

"Huntington has been dealing with an increase in drug trafficking and we support Congressman Rahall's efforts in requesting the assistance of the Federal Government in developing a crisis management plan to assist us in fighting the war on drugs," Felinton said

The violent crime rate in Huntington is 603 per 100,000 residents and significantly above the national average of 465. It has been 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. Those murders remain unsolved, as do so many other drug-related crimes throughout the Nation.