October 21, 2015

Manchin Statement on the President's Drug Abuse Forum

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued a statement on President Obama’s visit to Charleston, West Virginia to address the growing drug abuse epidemic.  

"It was an honor to welcome the President to our state today for a powerful discussion with West Virginians who are on the frontlines of opioid abuse. I was especially touched by the heart-wrenching stories from the families who have been personally impacted. If we want to end the growing prescription drug abuse epidemic that claims the lives of more than 600 West Virginians and 16,000 Americans every year, we must come at this problem from every angle and work with every partner. I am pleased that the President came to our state for this important national discussion and that the Administration has outlined a strategy to bring federal, state, local, faith-based and private sector actors together to address this critical issue. This visit has allowed us as a state to show the President and the country first-hand the opioid abuse that is destroying families and communities across our beautiful state, the dedicated work our citizens are doing to save our communities and the critical help we need to stop this epidemic. West Virginians are strong and resilient, and if we continue to work together, I know we can win this war on drug abuse and save lives.”

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