Capito works with federal, local experts to combat opioids

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) on Feb. 18 showed the U.S. Drug Czar what the opioid crisis is doing to her West Virginia constituents and how local experts are committed to stemming the epidemic.

Jim Carroll, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, on Tuesday joined Sen. Capito to tour southern West Virginia as part of several visits he’s making around the country to see what states are doing to fight the opioid epidemic.

“The Office of National Drug Control Policy is critical to our efforts to combat this crisis in West Virginia and across the country,” Sen. Capito said. “Today’s visits were an opportunity for Director Carroll to see exactly what West Virginians are facing, how our state is coping, and why we need the administration’s full commitment to fight this epidemic.”

Sen. Capito and Carroll first toured the Williamson Health and Wellness Center where they met with Dr. Dino Beckett, an expert working to improve healthcare and expand economic development throughout the local community.

“Senator Capito shares President Trump’s commitment to combat the addiction crisis impacting so many communities across West Virginia,” said Carroll. “It is because of strong and dedicated leaders like Senator Capito that we are starting to make a difference as West Virginia saw an 11 percent decline in drug overdose deaths in 2018.”

Next, Sen. Capito and Carroll attended a Drug Court graduation ceremony to meet with graduates, program mentors and individuals who participate in the Drug Court program.

Lastly, the two visited the Southwestern Regional Day Report Center, which offers services to assist adults struggling with substance abuse.

“There’s no question that this opioid crisis has touched communities all across the country — especially right here in West Virginia,” Sen. Capito said. “Despite the devastating consequences we’ve faced, the solutions our local communities have developed put West Virginia at the forefront of combatting this epidemic and, as a result, our state has served as a model for other cities across America grappling with substance abuse.”

Carroll said more work remains to be done and “the Trump Administration will continue our whole-of-government approach that brings federal, state and local partners together with those on the front lines of this fight to accomplish our ultimate goal of saving lives.”