West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and a host of experts gathered in Wheeling to empower local communities and faith-based groups in their fight against substance abuse.
The neighboring attorneys general led a conference entitled, “Taking Back Our Communities: Combating the Opiate Epidemic,” which took place at C3 Covenant Community Church in Wheeling.
“The conference was a great success,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “We were able to get several different groups involved to expand the discussion regarding how to combat opioid use.”
Conference speakers included pastors, law enforcement and prosecutors, along with treatment, recovery and government officials.
Discussion topics gave attendees valuable insight and resources to better understand and assist those affected by drug addiction in their communities. They spoke to a crowd eager to learn how they can be involved in transforming their neighborhoods.
“As a church, we want to be where our community is,” C3 Covenant Community Church Pastor Ted Dodd said. “In the midst of the hurt and need in our town, we desire to be present to love and serve and partner with others in our area who are doing the same.”
Ryan Weld, Brooke County Prosecutor and West Virginia Delegate, attended the conference as a panel participant discussing tactics and current initiatives law enforcement agencies use to combat substance abuse.
“As both a legislator and a prosecuting attorney I see the problem we face with heroin every single day,” Weld said. “Today’s event was a terrific exchange of ideas not only between states, but also between law enforcement, the faith-based community, and addiction treatment resources.”
The Wheeling conference was part of a long-standing effort by Attorney General Morrisey to fight substance abuse in West Virginia.
For information about the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, visit www.wvago.gov.
