FAIRMONT, W.Va. — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, participating in a panel Wednesday, said the state needs a comprehensive plan to confront its drug abuse problem.
Manchin said a law enforcement-only approach has not been beneficial. While those who break the law should still be prosecuted, Manchin asked how would the state create a balance in priorities if the public started treating addiction as a disease.
“What do we cure? Do we cure the disease or do we try to just handle the crime? That’s a tough one and depends on how violent the crimes are. I can tell you drug abuse and people getting felonies for drug abuse hasn’t helped us at all.”
Among those participating on the panel included representatives from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District’s Office, Marion County’s Drug Court and Day Reporting Center, elected leaders from Fairmont, Marion County and the state, state and local law enforcement and members from the medical community.
Among the speakers were two Marion County drug court participants who combated their addiction and thus far have avoided recidivism.
“It’s also helpful to hear from members of different parts of the community,” said U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “Whether they’re the parent of an addict or whether they’re involved in the medical field or maybe they’re a state official or federal official, I always take something away.”
Learning experiences like those helped Ihlenfeld’s office develop Addiction Action Plans, a way of combining multiple areas of expertise under one banner to tackle drug abuse.
“It’s extremely complex,” he said. “There are so many different issue that have to be addressed if you’re really going to tackle the drug problem.”
Manchin said change must be come within the spirit of collaboration, calling drug abuse everyone’s problem.
“My family included, there’s not one person sitting in there that doesn’t have a family member –immediate family member, extended family or very close friend– that has not been affected by drug abuse, illegal or legal drug abuse.”
Manchin recently introduced two bills aimed at prescription drug abuse, the Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the FDA Accountability for Public Safety Act.