Governor Cooper holds roundtable discussion on opioids

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The opioid crisis affecting the nation is now a public health emergency after a declaration by President Donald Trump. As President Trump declares the opioid crisis as a threat to the country, Governor Roy Cooper continues his work to combat the opioid crisis, especially here in the Cape Fear.

“Wilmington is ground zero. I am on this national six person commission that was appointed by the president. This needs to be a bipartisan approach,” Governor Roy Cooper says.

Governor Cooper was here for a drug overdose prevention training session for law enforcement officers. He also held a roundtable discussion on the opioid crisis. This is to get more information about the epidemic in our area. He also wants to help develop the opioid action plan. The governor says because of actions from D.C., it made the fight hard.

“Over the last few months in Washington, they’ve been considering health care plans that remove millions of people from health insurance. You’re going to lose the fight against opioids,” Governor Cooper says.

Jesse Bennett overdosed on opioids in the past. He works with the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition and also says without proper support, there will not be progress.

“Part of the issues we have in approaching this from a public health issue is the lack of funding for syringe exchange programs and naloxone,” Bennett says.

The organization’s executive director, Robert Childs, believes in order to combat the crisis, it especially needs more than a declaration.

“I think not putting any funding or resources or legal reforms behind it is lacking if that investment is not put in,” Childs says.

Governor Cooper will meet with his secretary of health and human service to determine what the designation means. He wants to know, most of all, how it will help the state going forward.