North Central West Virginia in general and Harrison County in particular are in the middle of what U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II has described as a drug "epidemic" for the region. On Thursday, Ihlenfeld and a host of others involved in law enforcement and other initiatives – including prevention and recovery – will take part in a Town Hall discussion on abuse and overdose.

 

The discussion begins at 6 p.m. at Bridgeport High School’s Auditorium. The event is being sponsored by the FBI-CJIS Clarksburg Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association.

 

"I commend the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association for hosting a town hall meeting to promote community awareness and engagement on such an important topic.  Unfortunately, addiction has grabbed ahold of North Central West Virginia and thus it's important to have a comprehensive discussion focused on drug abuse and overdoses in West Virginia, and to come up with a plan that covers enforcement, education, treatment, and prevention,” Ihlenfeld said. “We hope that this week’s town hall meeting will be a step towards helping to loosen the grip of addiction in the region."

 

Although it only takes a glance at any media source on a daily basis to see the issues, problems in the region and in Harrison County from Clarksburg, Bridgeport and beyond, are as serious as Ihlenfeld suggests above. Harrison County leads West Virginia in overdose deaths and West Virginia leads the nation in overdose deaths.

 

Along with Ihlenfeld, Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker will be part of the panel. Walker has decades of law enforcement experience serving as past Chief of Clarksburg’s Police Department as well. He currently is not only the chief of Bridgeport’s department, but is also the chairman of the Greater Harrison County Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force.

 

Walker and Ihlenfeld will be joined by several other key individuals. Among those taking part in the panel discussion and town hall meeting are R. Booth Goodwin, U.S. Attorney from the Southern District of West Virginia; Jo Anne McNemar from the Harrison County Prevention Partnership; Dr. Mark Manchin, Harrison County Superintendent of Schools; Lou Ortenzio, director of Celebrate Recovery; as well as a representative from the West Virginia Bureau of Behavioral Health and Health Facilities; and representatives from the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association.

 

Ihlenfeld will lead the panel and discuss what local, county, state and federal law enforcement has done to stop the supply of prescription pills and heroin from coming into our area. He will also help shape dialogue on the lack of facilities and treatment options for our state residents that have become addicted to these drugs.

 

The meeting, as indicated, is open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend. If you have questions about the event, call the FBI Community Outreach Program at 304-625-5833 or 304-625-5818.

 

Editor's Note: Pictured above is U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld II, foreground and Bridgeport Police Chief John Walker. Bottom photo is of Superintendent Mark Manchin. Those three, along with others, will lead a Town Hall meeting on drug issues Thursday at BHS. Top photo by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.