By an enormous margin, most health care professionals in West Virginia are honest, and dedicated to the well-being of those who need their help.

But the possibilities are nearly endless for that tiny minority determined to build their own wealth by harming patients and ripping off taxpayers.

West Virginia has the worst substance abuse crisis in the nation. No other state has a higher drug overdose death rate. Much of the problem can be traced to opioids either prescribed by health care professionals or obtained illicitly from them.

Identifying and putting out of business the physicians and pharmacies that contribute to the problem knowingly is critical.

West Virginia also has the highest rate of residents enrolled in the Medicaid program, at 31 percent. Combine that with 23 percent of our population relying on Medicare, and the potential for fraud is enormous. Both programs are funded by taxpayers.

With all that in mind, the announcement last week by U.S. Attorney Bill Powell was a no-brainer. Powell, whose jurisdiction covers northern West Virginia, said he has created a Health Care Crimes Task Force. It will investigate opioid diversion and health care fraud, among other crimes.

As Powell pointed out, the Department of Justice prosecuted 802 defendants for fraud in 2016. The authorities also collected more than $3.3 billion through such actions.

We suspect that is only the tip of the iceberg. Aggressive investigations and prosecutions probably could save taxpayers much more.

Even more important than that is shutting down unscrupulous health care providers who literally are killing people by feeding the drug abuse crisis.

Powell’s office is responsible for enforcing a variety of federal laws in a large area of the Mountain State. He should consider the Health Care Crimes Task Force his top priority. So should DOJ officials in Washington.

If Powell needs more staffing to handle the task properly, it should be provided by the DOJ, almost without limits. Investigators here should not have to forego some investigations or cut others short because they lack resources. Initiatives such as Powell’s need to be pursued with all the vigor the government can bring to bear.