CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Huntington health care representatives who attended President Barack Obama’s drug forum in Charleston last week applauded his efforts to tackle the drug epidemic in West Virginia and nationwide.
“He can make a real difference right now,” said Michelle Perdue project coordinator of Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership, following the President’s address at the Roosevelt Neighborhood Center Wednesday. “Especially when he talked about early intervention and speaking with children. That’s our passion is making sure that we try to prevent people from going down that path to begin with.”
“We’ve been waiting on this for a long time,” said Amy Saunders, director of student health education programs at Marshall University. “We need funding and resources for the whole gamit of treatment and substance abuse.”
The President pushed for a new outlook on the drug problem by introducing new polices that would allow for federal dollars to be spent on treatment and better training. Federal agencies will be required to provide training to doctors and nurses who work for the federal government on how to properly prescribe opioid medications such as oxycodone.
“These folks need help,” said Saunders about drug addicts. “I’m happy that he’s here and he’s bringing this message to us. I’m hopeful.”
Perdue said she was also hopeful that Obama’s plans for West Virginia would also allow the state to lead by example.
“I feel hopeful that, especially for West Virginia, as a model for the rest of the nation,” she said.
Saunders said she would love for Cabell County to be recognized for their efforts with programs aimed at fighting the drug epidemic, since it continues to be a big problem. She said even though Obama lead a great discussion, the war on drugs isn’t over yet.
“We need some education. We need to be turning out more folks in mental health to help address this issue,” she said.