On Tuesday, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) joined NC11 Sheriffs and local law enforcement professionals for a roundtable to discuss the growing opioid problem in Western North Carolina.
Current studies show that an average of four North Carolinians die from a medication or drug overdose every day. Additionally, an April 2016 study notes that of the worst cities in America for opioid abuse, North Carolina contains 4 of the top 20 cities. The growing concern around these figures led Congressman Meadows and law enforcement officials to discuss solutions over a meeting in Western North Carolina.
“The professionals closest to the problem are often the most well equipped to lead the charge in fixing it,” Rep. Meadows said, “and I truly believe Western North Carolina has the best law enforcement officials in the country. The opioid epidemic in our community is substantial, but we are committed to bringing the situation under control and today’s meeting was a crucial step. I want to thank our NC11 law enforcement officers for their eager willingness to discuss the issue and for their always steadfast leadership in our community.”
Henderson County Sheriff Charles McDonald released the following statement after the meeting:
"I am heartened to see the willingness among the Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police within the 11th District to lay aside jurisdictional and organizational boundaries to address the opioid epidemic plaguing western North Carolina. It is this type of interoganizational cooperation that will be needed to win the fight we are in. We all would also like to thank Congressman Mark Meadows for his leadership and support for law enforcement across our region."
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