Meet the Candidates: Substance Abuse

On October 1, the Pocahontas County Prevention Coalition sponsored a nonpartisan Meet The Candidates event at the Pocahontas County High School.

The topic of discussion was substance abuse, and the questions were moderated by seven of our high school students.

Candidates for many offices were present, and the candidates of each office were asked two or three questions aimed at that office's perceived responsibilities and roles.

As candidates for Pocahontas County Commissioner, Mr. Charles Wilfong and I were asked two questions. Those questions and my responses follow.

Note: questions were mailed to the candidates a few days prior, so my responses below are as drafted on paper but not literally as delivered at the event.

1. There has been some talk about implementing a drug testing program for all county employees. Are you in favor of this policy and why or why not?

Yes, if done properly. It is important that county employees hold the trust of our citizens. A large part of that trust comes when the people believe a given county employee maintains a drug-free lifestyle.

Fiscally speaking, the tax dollars given by each citizen are what pays the salaries and funds the benefits of each county employee. For example, as county commissioner, I would receive a salary of $34,900 per year, along with health insurance and retirement benefits. At around twice the average income of a Pocahontas County family, you as citizens should fully expect that I maintain a drug-free lifestyle so that I am in a capacity to perform my best for you, in terms of decision-making, physical health, and mental well being.

Morally speaking, the support shown county employees by voters and constituents should be reciprocated by each employee through personal example. A substance abuse problem on my part would undermine all my efforts to uphold and nurture the values and ethics that are such a strong part of our community. As a county commissioner, you know that I will continue to meet this responsibility as I did over the past few years purely as a citizen. You know that I will stand for the rights and values of each of our families as I conduct the business of overseeing our $6M annual budget.

I qualified my support of a drug testing program by saying "if done properly." This means, due to the reality that false positive results can and do occur - and the great potential for embarrassment and slander that arises - it is imperative that we institute some means for a second, independently performed testing of one's sample should their first test be positive and contested.

It is also imperative that we conduct testing on a random basis, since to do otherwise would allow substance abusers to plan around the testing activities.

Finally, we should seek out the experiences of other and neighboring counties to see what they have tried and what they have learned. In this and other issues, we cannot afford to act by ourselves, as we are most likely not the first county to encounter such issues, and others have much experience we can draw from. So yes, I support a drug testing program for all Pocahontas County employees.

2. Last school year, four Upshur county students were killed in a vehicle accident where alcohol was involved. Because of Pocahontas County underage drinking statistics we know that the potential for this kind of tragedy exists in our community. If elected, how will you work with local and county law enforcement to prevent this type of incident from occurring?

I think a lot of people feel that the county commission doesn't have much of a role to play in battling Pocahontas County's substance abuse epidemic. But I think the county commission indeed must meet its responsibility in this matter.

The county commission oversees a $6M annual budget, which among many things funds the operations of our law enforcement and prosecution team. It is important that all our offices work together to identify ways we can combat this problem, such as improvements in community education and awareness, as well as improved funding so that our officers, magistrates, and prosecuting attorney have the resources they need to get the offenders off the road - and off the sidewalks and back roads as well.

But in combating the demand - which I feel is the root of the problem - I think that the county commission has the responsibility to lead our community in our efforts to provide a quality and prosperous livelihood for our families; that the county commission must find ways to improve our local economy and encourage small business development so that our kids can find their place here in Pocahontas County as they enter into the work force.

I believe that where there is opportunity and hope, there is a good foundation and outlook for each of us to have. When our children have that outlook, when they see it in their moms and dads, this becomes their cornerstone for a drug-free life. It did so for me.