Press Releases

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Michael J. McQuerry
February 3, 2020                                                        202-215-8524

PRESS STATEMENT

CONGRESSWOMAN STACEY E. PLASKETT TO CONVENE OPIOID ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

“The opioid crisis is incredibly complex, and we must attack it from all angles and address prevention, treatment, recovery, and law enforcement,” stated Congresswoman Plaskett

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding her upcoming Roundtable discussion on the potential opioid crisis for the Virgin Islands:

“192. That’s how many people die every day from a drug overdose. Last year alone, more than 70,000 people died of drug overdoses. People are now more likely to die from an overdose than they are a car crash.

“I am glad that our local government has begun to pay attention to the increasing threat of opioid abuse in the Virgin Islands. Although we are not experiencing a crisis with opioids it is always good to get in front of situations like this. My office will be convening an Opioid Roundtable on March 17, 2020 in my St. Croix District Office with various federal and local stakeholders. The relevant stakeholders invited will include the Commissioners from both the VI Police Department and the VI Health as well as critical community advocates. We look forward to also bringing national experts to the Roundtable. It is imperative that we take action to stop a potential opioid addiction crisis and save lives now. While we work to pass legislation in Washington to end the epidemic, we can also take action now in our communities to make a difference.

“Substance use disorders are impacting communities throughout our state and affect people regardless of age, gender, race, and class. There has been bipartisan support in Congress to address this issue. We know that any response to the opioid epidemic requires a comprehensive approach that includes treatment and recovery, education and prevention, and law enforcement. I look forward to my upcoming Roundtable Discussion next month with our federal and local officials to expand our understanding of how we can avoid an opioid crisis here in the Virgin Islands. I want to thank again the local government for addressing this important issue also."

###