The seminar aimed to allow community members, experts, and policymakers to discuss the multifaceted aspects of the opioid crisis.
Wittman was joined by Assistant Special Agent in Charge Patrick Harti of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) — Norfolk District Office; Adam Brown, Senior Director for Student Services — Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools and Mia McCoy, Substance Use Disorder Quality Manager of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
In his welcome to community members in attendance, Wittman stated, “If you look across the United States and see the magnitude of this issue — FDA numbers from a little over a year ago — 112,000 deaths in the United States from fentanyl poisoning. Think about that.”
“The good news is the more recent numbers show, somewhat, of a downward trend.” Wittman said, “But, I believe, this is a national crisis. We have to address it in several ways.”
Wittman added the “most recent number is now 93,000 deaths from fentanyl poisoning, or opioids if you want to put it in a broader category.”
Prevention is a major component of tackling the drug crisis problems in the state and on a national level, said Wittman.
“In my 27-year career,” explained Harti, “I have never seen a great more dangerous, more deadly substance than fentanyl. Fentanyl is definitely the driving force behind the increase in poisoning and overdoses.”
Harti explained, from the DEA’s point of view, how illegal drugs such as fentanyl make it into local communities through channels from China and Mexico.
“Fentanyl does have a medical use as a schedule 2 narcotic. However, the fentanyl we are talking about is not medical use fentanyl. It is illicit fentanyl sold by drug dealers in the cartels who don’t care about you, your family, or your friends. It is important to differentiate between them,” said Harti.
Speaking for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, who provide treatment for mental health issues, substance use and addiction, and intellectual and developmental disabilities for adults and children, McCoy explained that, “beginning in January 2023, there is evidence of a stable downward trend in opioid use and overdoses across the commonwealth.”
“Even though we are going to talk about some pretty heavy topics, and we have already done that, I want you to remember that there is hope. There are resources. There are interventions that are available,” McCoy stated.
Brown spoke about the broad scope the W-JCC school system uses to recognize drug issues, education and resources to assist students and families. Taking a proactive position, training faculty and staff to recognize signs and report, even suspected issues is a priority.
“When we work with a student that may have some level of substance abuse, or has used fentanyl, oftentimes the conversation is the student ‘didn’t know. I had no idea that is what I was taking.'” Brown continued, “It speaks to me about the level of campaigning and awareness we need to bring to our community.”
During the question and answer session, Rev. Jan Brown, founder and executive director of Spirit Works Foundation Center, which runs a recovery center in Williamsburg, questioned the downward trend numbers referenced by the congressman and panel.
“We have waiting lists at the majority of CSB’s (Community Services Boards) so people can not be seen. Here in Williamsburg, we have a three-week waiting list. We do not have the capacity to serve the people who are indeed reaching out for services,” Brown reported to the panel.
Wittman was attentive during the open citizen session, stating many times that he would follow through to get answers and information to those in attendance with concerns and questions.
“This is an unbelievable situation that we find ourselves in and it is going to take an all-of-community, all-of-commonwealth, all-of-nation approach, I believe, to get things done,” said Wittman. “That’s why I wanted to bring everyone together today. Just so that we can continue to have these discussions.”
