(Posted June 10, 2017)
By Sandi Latimer, Staff Writer
“A lot is being done, but it’s not enough. It’s never enough.”
That was West Jefferson Mayor Ray Martin’s response to residents’ questions about what can be done about the drug crisis.
At the June 5 village council meeting, Martin said he received inquiries following news of an overdose.
He said he has met with legal officials in the county to see what the courts can do. He also said he’d like to see Madison County establish a drug court like the one in Franklin County.
He urged residents to attend meetings of the West Jeff Advocacy Program. The group meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the village’s new Community Center, 221 S. Center St. (in the former Zion Lutheran Church building).
The group is hosting a showing of “Oxyana,” a movie about Oxycontin epidemic in southern West Virginia, at 6 p.m. June 22 at the Community Center.
“A panel discussion will follow,” said Marci Darlington, parks and recreation director.
Martin encouraged “family to be family.” He said he knows some people who have put their lives on hold to help their kids who are struggling with addiction.
Martin’s comments came toward the end of a 25-minute council meeting that ended with council members going into executive session to discuss pending legal action.
Earlier in the evening, council members approved a donation of $3,000 to the West Jefferson July 4th Streetfest Committee. The village supports the event each year to help defray expenses. The 2017 festival runs July 2-4.
Darlington reported that the pool season is off to a good start. Admissions on opening weekend tallied $6,000. The sale of concessions generated another $1,000. Thirty-two family memberships were sold that weekend.
