CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The United States Drug Czar came to the Capital City Friday for a private roundtable discussion with law enforcement, state, and federal officials about drug control and prevention.
Sara Carter, who was confirmed as White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director in January, was escorted by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito. Both West Virginia U.S. attorneys, Matt Harvey from the Northern District and Moore Capito from the Southern District, were part of the roundtable along with the West Virginia First Foundation, law enforcement officers, and drug prevention officials.
Carter’s appearance in West Virginia comes in the wake of Thursday’s news that a settlement with painkiller OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma could dissolve the company by the end of Friday. OxyContin ran rampant through the state for many years, creating addicts and causing loss of life. Carter mentioned the state’s troubled past with drugs.
“The tragedy is that this was ground zero,” Carter said. “So many people suffered. and so many people are still suffering, right? And we want to ensure that we are going to be here, not only for the people of West Virginia, number one, but for the entire nation.”
Carter said the ONDCP plans to deliver a nationwide strategy next week on both the supply and demand of drugs. Carter heard West Virginian perspectives on problems the state deals with, and how it handles those issues. She said it helped further shape the strategy.
“We are going to ensure that we will deliver recovery and treatment to those who need it, and prevention for our children,” Carter said. “That’s what’s most important for me being here right now, and listening to all the success that West Virginia has had with [Senator Capito], working together as communities and coalitions to fight the crisis, and ensure that people have a place to go, and children have a place to go, to recover and find treatment.”
America’s greatest resource is its families, Carter said, and drugs can tear them apart. She said the ONDCP doesn’t take drug prevention lightly.
“We cannot afford to allow our nation to be poisoned,” Carter said. “I’m humbled, I’m honored to be here, and I’m gonna fight every single day for the American people, and every single day for the people of West Virginia along with you.”
Capito also reported a successful roundtable discussion. She said there has been a concerted effort for drug problems to be eradicated in the Mountain State and nationwide.
“Here in West Virginia, we know that the drug problem exists, but you think you’re so far away from a drug cartel in Mexico, or you think you’re so far away from the precursors that come in from China,” Capito said. “This is something you’ve [the ONDCP] really worked on in terms of cutting the demand, the president has done a great job of cutting the demand, the flow of fentanyl pills from the southern borders [is] down [around] 53%.”
Carter cautioned residents of the state against obtaining pills off the street.
“You are playing Russian Roulette with your life, because this is poison,” Carter said. “What we want to ensure is a clean supply chain, a clean supply chain. That means from its origination to the United States.”
The ONDCP is committed to shutting down cartels and keeping the streets safe, Carter said.
“When it comes to the drug cartels, we have a message, and this message is directly from President Trump, and it is evident in his actions. You will no longer operate with impunity in our nation. We will take you down. We will seize your cash, and we will dismantle and destroy you.”