HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Huntington city officials continue the grueling fight against drugs. Friday, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito took a seat at the round table discussion.
Community leaders from all recovery organizations shared their concerns and ideas with Capito. They said the numbers are alarming.
"The heroin and drugs we are experiencing are getting stronger," Cabell County prosecutor Corky Hammers said. "The drugs we see today are affecting all aspects of the community. It can happen with all income brackets. It does not discriminate against any class."
Huntington police said they made 1,999 arrests related to drugs last year, 97 of those arrests were prostitutes. In 2015, 944 overdoses were reported in Cabell County, 70 of those resulted in death. That makes about 2.5 overdoses per day.
"It's tragic," Cabell Huntington hospital physician director Michael Kilkenny said. "We're doing everything we can to stop those deaths."
The Huntington Drug Control Policy said West Virginia has the highest rate of Hepatitis B in the country, and the second highest rate of Hepatitis C.
Community leaders said they are dedicating 2016 to solutions. Capito said she will join the fight from Washington. Corky Hammers stated Huntington is stronger than the drug epidemic.
"Our community realizes we need help," Hammers said. "They are already reaching out to help me as a prosecutor. We need to help the community heal."
The Drug Control Policy also stated Cabell County spent a minimum of $50 million in 2015 on costs of healthcare regarding problems with addiction.