Full Article by Leah Willingham | AP News
In a Associated Press report, journalist Leah Willingham shines a light on the deep and personal toll of the opioid crisis in Charleston, WV — and how leaders across political divides are trying to confront it.
The story follows three city council candidates — Dr. Frank Annie (Republican), Joe Solomon (Democrat and SOAR WV co-founder), and Sheena Griffith (Independent) — who each see firsthand the devastation caused by untreated addiction, rising HIV infections, and political inaction.
Each voice reminds us: the suffering transcends party lines, and so must the solutions.
Here’s what each of them had to say:
- Joe Solomon (Democrat, SOAR WV co-founder):
“They’ve never had more money in the history of money in this city, and you could make the case that there’s never been more stigma in the history of stigma.” - Dr. Frank Annie (Republican, Charleston Area Medical Center):
“We’ve had the data for years. It’s just there’s no will.” - Sheena Griffith (Independent, recovery coach):
“Let people who have lived a real life, who come from the streets, try to change things. Our city is dying of drug addiction, so let people who care about what our city is dying from fix the problem.”
The article shows just how urgent this moment is: millions of dollars from opioid settlements are arriving, but whether Charleston chooses real solutions — rooted in public health, dignity, and harm reduction — remains an open question.
👉 Read the full Associated Press article: West Virginia’s opioid crisis transcends partisan politics
