Senator Thom Tillis and local leaders confront fentanyl crisis

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY)– Leaders from New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington met with Senator Thom Tillis to discuss two critical issues: crime and the ongoing opioid crisis.

A focal point of their discussion was the alarming rise of fentanyl abuse.

Senator Tillis characterized fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction” and emphasized the importance of gathering local insights to share with his colleagues in Washington.

His goal is to support the development of effective legislation to combat this epidemic.

Tillis also highlighted his commitment to maintaining open communication with local leaders and law enforcement to identify the best strategies for addressing this crisis.

In the meeting, several suggestions were proposed, including integrating drug education about the dangers of fentanyl into school curriculums and enhancing educational outreach through social media platforms.

Tillis acknowledged the value of these ideas and reflected on the need for broader public awareness, likening it to the impact of well-known public service campaigns.