CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will be in Charleston Wednesday to announce a new strategy to combat the drug problem in Kanawha, Putnam and Cabell counties.
A press conference will be held at from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday at the Kanawha County Board of Education 1st floor Auditorium.
Charleston, Huntington and the surrounding counties will be the next region where the DEA will implement the DEA 360 Strategy, according to the DEA. The strategy is a comprehensive approach to address prescription opioid abuse, heroin use and violent crime.
According to a news release, the DEA 360 Strategy is meant to stop heroin and opioid abuse by eliminating drug trafficking organizations, gangs that fuel violence on the streets and addiction in communities nationwide.
Wednesday’s speakers will include DEA Special Agent in Charge Karl Colder, U.S. Attorney Carol Casto, Charleston Police Captain Eric Johnson, Kanawha-Charleston Health Department Executive Director Michael Brumage, Kanawha County Superintendent of Schools Ron Duerring, representatives with West Virginia’s congressional delegation, parents, community members and more.