Commonsense Ideas for a Stronger America: Manchin Hosts Roundtable on Drug Abuse and its Effect on Jobs with Community, Law Enforcement Leaders
Manchin also visits Oceana Middle School, where students wrote letters to him to help fight drug abuse
Beckley, W.V. – On the third day of his “Commonsense Ideas for a Stronger America” tour, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin held a roundtable with community leaders in Beckley today to discuss the need to fight drug abuse so that employers can fill their open jobs and parents can provide for their families. Senator Manchin is working with local leaders, federal and state law enforcement officials, educators and families to combat drug abuse in West Virginia and counteract its effects on the workforce.
“Drug abuse is devastating communities in my state, whether it’s preventing employers from being able to hire or tearing families apart. Today's roundtable discussion on drugs and our economy was truly beneficial because we brought together folks on all sides of the issue - treatment, education, law enforcement, prevention, business and labor. We all agree that this is one of the biggest problems plaguing our communities and our nation. I pledge to take the commonsense ideas and values that were shared back to Washington to help solve this national epidemic. It’s time make sure our employers can get back to hiring and the people of West Virginia can have strong, drug-free communities.”
Senator Manchin also visited Oceana Middle School today to applaud the efforts of children in the community. Students at the school wrote to Senator Manchin and other federal lawmakers earlier this year and asked for the Senator’s help to fight drug abuse in their community.
“These children are such a strong example of what it means to stand up for your community – and today they showed that no matter how old you are, you can make a difference,” Senator Manchin said. “I want each and every child in our state to know that there is a bright future if you stay off of drugs – that you will have a good job, be able to provide for your family, and be a leader in your community.”
Drug abuse has reached a crisis point in West Virginia, which now suffers from the highest rate of drug overdose deaths in the country – with nearly 90 percent of those fatalities linked to prescription drug abuse. Whether drugs come from “pill mills” that flood the market with prescription drugs, bath salts sold on the shelves or synthetic marijuana, the problem is becoming national in scope and state and federal leaders must work together to fix it.
Senator Manchin has proposed a three-point, commonsense anti-drug abuse strategy that includes measures to combat drug abuse at the federal level, including banning bath salts and synthetic marijuana and increasing penalties for running “pill mills.”
He finished the day at the Mercer County Courthouse, where he met with residents to listen to their commonsense ideas about how to make this country strong again.
Background on Senator Manchin’s three-point plan to combat drug abuse:
Stopping Pill Mills:
Senator Manchin has introduced the Pill Mill Crackdown Act of 2011, S. 1760, with Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), which corresponds with a similar bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Specifically, the bill would:
- Toughen federal penalties for “pill mill” operators by doubling the prison sentence from 10 to 20 years and tripling the fine from $1 million to $3 million;
- Use seized assets to: fund drug monitoring databases in the states, fund Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) enforcement actions against pill mills, and support drug treatment programs within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration;
- Reclassify hydrocodone combination drugs (some of the most easily obtainable and addictive prescription drugs) to make them Schedule II drugs, which are more difficult to prescribe and obtain.
Banning Bath Salts:
In the last two years, there has also been a drastic increase in the manufacture and recreational use of substances that are sold as “bath salts,” which are meant to mimic illegal drugs like cocaine. Recognizing the danger posed by these substances, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced on October 21, 2011 a temporary designation for “bath salts” as controlled substances for 12-18 months. While some states have also taken action against ban salts, there is no federal law to make them illegal.
Senator Manchin has cosponsored legislation that would make the sale and distribution of dangerous substances found in fake bath salts illegal across the nation by adding them to the list of Schedule I controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act. S. 409, the Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act, would put a permanent, national ban on “mephedrone” and “MDPV” found in fake bath salts. The legislation has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and is awaiting action by the full Senate.
Eliminating Synthetic Drugs:
Synthetic marijuana is generally produced by spraying dried plants with various chemical compounds, resulting in a potent high similar to that of cocaine, methamphetamines,or LSD. The drug can cause intense seizures, along with hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. This type of fake drug is particularly dangerous because they have been available over-the-counter, and users therefore tend to underestimate their powerful effects. The Drug Enforcement Administration also announced a temporary designation for “bath salts” as controlled substances for 12-18 months on October 21, 2011.
Senator Manchin has cosponsored legislation that would make the sale and distribution of the dangerous substances found in fake marijuana illegal by adding them to the list of Schedule I controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act. S. 605, the Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act, would put a national ban on cannabimimetic agents, or synthetic substances that imitate marijuana. The legislation has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and is awaiting action by the full Senate.
Additional events this week:
THURSDAY, October 27, 2011
Remarks at lunch honoring West Virginia’s 2011 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50
When: 10:45 a.m.Where: West Virginia University Erickson Alumni Center, 1 Alumni Drive, Morgantown
What: Senator Manchin will deliver remarks at a lunch honoring West Virginia’s 2011 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50.
Keynote Address, WVU College of Law’s Energy and Sustainable Development Symposium on Marcellus Drilling
When: 8 p.m.Where: West Virginia University Erickson Alumni Center, 1 Alumni Drive, Morgantown
What: Senator Manchin will deliver the keynote address at WVU College of Law’s Energy and Sustainable Development Symposium on Marcellus Drilling.
###
Next Article Previous Article
