HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, today hosted First Lady Melania Trump and Acting U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan in Huntington to show how West Virginia is developing innovative solutions to fight the opioid epidemic. The day included a roundtable discussion led by Senator Capito, the First Lady, and Acting Secretary McAleenan with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials; community leaders; and federal, state, and local officials at the Cabell-Huntington Health Department.
“I just want to say to the leadership in Huntington and Cabell County, it has been an inspiration for me to watch,” said Senator Capito during her opening remarks. What you did [is say], ‘This is problem that needs a solution.’ Homeland Security plays an enormous part [in combatting the opioid epidemic], not just right here in Huntington and in West Virginia, but also at the border. Because we know a lot of what we see here has come through our southern border. That’s why I’ve said we’ve got to meet this challenge head-on at the border in terms of disrupting the flow of drugs into our country.”
“What I understand about Huntington is that this has been a whole-of-community effort for several years, and you’re starting to see results of that teamwork and collaboration,” said Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan during his opening remarks. “So it’s going to be really important for us to hear how you’re attacking this as a team and what we can learn that and build from at the national level.”
Later in the day, Senator Capito and Acting Secretary McAleenan met with Cabell County drug court participants and administrators and toured Marshall University’s forensic laboratory to learn more about their partnership with local law enforcement.
As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, Senator Capito has worked intently with Acting Secretary McAleenan to strengthen the relationship between the Department of Homeland Security and entities in West Virginia, particularly at Marshall University.
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Senator Capito, the First Lady, and Acting Secretary McAleenan lead a roundtable discussion with state and local leaders.
Senator Capito and the First Lady talk following the roundtable discussion.
Senator Capito introduces Acting Secretary McAleenan to participants and success stories from Cabell County drug courts.
Senator Capito and Acting Secretary McAleenan learn how Marshall University’s Forensic Laboratory is aiding local law enforcement officials.
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