Charleston , Kanawha County , West Virginia

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller calls prescription drug abuse "the greatest human problem we have."

Rockefeller and Congressman Nick Rahall met with about 20 people at the Marshall University Forensic Science Center in Huntington, including state senators, local law enforcement, a judge, prosecutor, doctors and others for a roundtable discussion on the prescription drug abuse epidemic.

About 150,000 West Virginians are treated for drug addiction each year.

"It's just very hard to cure human problems," Rockefeller said. "You have to do it person by person."

Many of the panelists at the discussion said they know it's an uphill battle, but remain optimistic.

Gil Kerlikowske, the National Drug Control policy director, was at a similar meeting here two years ago and said he is very happy to see the positive changes that have been made so far.

Rockefeller said it is a difficult task "but if anybody can do it we should be able to do it in West Virginia because we're so community-oriented." That community has gathered to figure out what it is doing right and what it can improve upon.

U.S. District Attorney Booth Goodwin said when people "get around the table and talk to the people who are on the front lines and see the difference that is made it's much easier to go back to work and keep making a difference every day."

The room full of people left with one goal and one message in mind.

Kerlikowske said, "I leave here with a real sense of optimism."

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Authorities said they're seeing an alarming increase in heroin trafficking in West Virginia.

U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin said Thursday that while prescription drugs represent the biggest crime problem in West Virginia's southern district, heroin seizures have increased more than fourfold from 2011 to 2012.

Scott Masumoto of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said prescription drugs sold on the street can cost $80 per pill or more. That makes it difficult for teenagers to sustain their addictions, so they are moving to "cheaper" alternatives such as heroin.

Federal statistics show West Virginia has the second-highest rate of drug overdose deaths in the nation.

They spoke during prescription drug seminars held in Charleston and Huntington. Other speakers included U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Congressman Nick Rahall and White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Two roundtable meetings will focus on efforts to fight prescription drug abuse and trafficking in West Virginia.

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Congressman Nick Rahall were scheduled to participate in the discussions Thursday in Huntington and Charleston. Expected to join them are White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske and U.S. attorney Booth Goodwin.

The discussions were expected to include law enforcement efforts to address doctor offices and pharmacies that over-prescribe addictive medicines. Other subjects expected to be discussed were information sharing and training initiatives among drug task forces, and greater public access to substance abuse and mental health treatment programs.

Rockefeller and Rahall have reintroduced bills to fight prescription drug abuse. Sen. Joe Manchin is a co-sponsor of Rockefeller's Senate bill. A similar bill introduced in 2011 never came up for a vote in the Senate.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller will convene a roundtable discussion in Charleston Thursday to focus on prescription drug abuse treatment.

Rockefeller will be joined at the event that begins at 1 p.m. by U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall and Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske at the event, to take place at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Pharmacy Education, to focus on the behavioral health treatment gap, which Rockefeller’s describes as a key barrier curb prescription drug abuse in West Virginia. The discussion will also detail better treatment options for those who can’t find help, according to a news release from Rockefeller's office.

Rockefeller will discuss legislation he cosponsored, such as the Excellence in Mental Health Act and the Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

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Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.