Drug abuse is a substantial problem in West Virginia, so it's good news that the State Police are reserving $19 million of $45 million received in a legal settlement to combat that society-wrecking evil.

That's an appropriate use of the money received from Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin. Drug abuse hurts West Virginia, and it will be nice to be able to do more to combat it.

The state will have more school prevention resource officers, improve training for medical professionals, and expand "drug courts." All are needed.

In addition to the drug abuse component, though, it's good to see that the State Police will be able to address some of their own longstanding needs.

The State Police Academy in Institute will get almost $2 million worth of work - new facade, new flooring, new heating and cooling units. The academy  will also get a more convenient driver-training course, as well as a shooting and driving simulator.

And perhaps a consolidated Troop 5 headquarters and Logan detachment.

It's probably time. That headquarters was built in 1957.

The State Police will also get new wheels. The agency will spend $4.4 million on vehicles, and plans to retire its highest-mileage vehicles and replace them with 140 Ford Crown Victorias, 125 Chevrolet Impalas and 26 Chevrolet Trailblazers.

Troopers will also get updated equipment so they can file paperwork from their cruisers rather than return to detachments to do that. Cruisers will also get new light bars, digital video recorders and speed detectors, and new Doppler radar and laser detectors.

The Special Response team already has new bulletproof vests. Radio communications will be improved so responders across the state can communicate with each other in emergencies.

There's also to be a new fingerprint analysis system, and fingerprint capture stations in every detachment.

The State Police will benefit from their work on a federal investigation. The agency will be strengthened and modernized and better able to serve West Virginians.

That's appropriate, too.

It's curiously satisfying to see an essential agency that is often asked to do without get a resource windfall instead.

Drug abuse is a substantial problem in West Virginia, so it's good news that the State Police are reserving $19 million of $45 million received in a legal settlement to combat that society-wrecking evil.

That's an appropriate use of the money received from Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin. Drug abuse hurts West Virginia, and it will be nice to be able to do more to combat it.

The state will have more school prevention resource officers, improve training for medical professionals, and expand "drug courts." All are needed.

In addition to the drug abuse component, though, it's good to see that the State Police will be able to address some of their own longstanding needs.

The State Police Academy in Institute will get almost $2 million worth of work - new facade, new flooring, new heating and cooling units. The academy  will also get a more convenient driver-training course, as well as a shooting and driving simulator.

And perhaps a consolidated Troop 5 headquarters and Logan detachment.

It's probably time. That headquarters was built in 1957.

The State Police will also get new wheels. The agency will spend $4.4 million on vehicles, and plans to retire its highest-mileage vehicles and replace them with 140 Ford Crown Victorias, 125 Chevrolet Impalas and 26 Chevrolet Trailblazers.

Troopers will also get updated equipment so they can file paperwork from their cruisers rather than return to detachments to do that. Cruisers will also get new light bars, digital video recorders and speed detectors, and new Doppler radar and laser detectors.

The Special Response team already has new bulletproof vests. Radio communications will be improved so responders across the state can communicate with each other in emergencies.

There's also to be a new fingerprint analysis system, and fingerprint capture stations in every detachment.

The State Police will benefit from their work on a federal investigation. The agency will be strengthened and modernized and better able to serve West Virginians.

That's appropriate, too.

It's curiously satisfying to see an essential agency that is often asked to do without get a resource windfall instead.