CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – At its regularly scheduled Commission Meeting on Thursday, November 4, the Kanawha County Commission will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m.
The hearing is in response to a request from WV Health Right for the County Commission to sign a Letter of Support for Health Right to continue to operate the county’s only state-certified syringe exchange program. This is part of the comprehensive harm reduction/treatment program.
Syringe exchange programs have become a controversial topic in combating drug abuse. The hearing gives citizens an opportunity to voice their opinions, according to the county commissioners.
Commission President Kent Carper explained, “Dr. Angie Settle, CEO of WV Health Right, contacted us regarding a letter of support for the comprehensive harm reduction and treatment program as required by state law for the continued operations of the program. Knowing that this topic is one of interest to many in the community, we felt it was important to place this on our County Commission agenda and offer the public a chance to provide public comment concerning the issue. The Commission is always transparent with their decisions, and we will be with this one.”
This will be the first public hearing on the subject in the state. It is now a requirement by the WV State Legislature that local governments sign Letters of Support for these programs.
The County Commission meets at the courthouse at the corner of Virginia and Court Streets in downtown Charleston.