West Virginia’s opioid crisis transcends partisan politics

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia’s opioid crisis is transcending partisan politics as city council candidates from three different parties tackle the issue in the capital of Charleston. Republican candidate Dr. Frank Annie, Democrat Joe Solomon and independent Sheena Griffith have all come face-to-face with the problem during their interactions with the community. The three say not enough has changed more than a year after the city was declared the scene of the country’s “most concerning HIV outbreak” due to IV drug use. Still, local officials are divided on how best to handle the crisis. It’s urgent that they get it right, with millions of dollars from legal settlements with opioid manufacturers and pharmacies on the way.