Latest News, WVPA Sharing

West VIrginia’s drug czar steps down

By ERIC EYRE

Charleston Gazette-Mail

Jim Johnson

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s drug czar resigned Thursday, after a little more than four months on the job.

Jim Johnson, director of the state’s new Office of Drug Control Policy, was hired to help lead the effort to reduce drug overdose deaths. West Virginia has the highest fatal overdose rate in the nation.

Johnson’s sudden departure comes just days after the release of a preliminary report on ways to combat the opioid epidemic. Johnson had served on a panel of experts that drew up the report. A final report is expected before the end of the month.

Johnson, who started the job Sept. 2, spoke at a House of Delegates committee meeting last week, but he gave no hint that he was planning to step down.

In a news release Thursday, West Virginia health officials characterized Johnson’s departure as a “retirement.” Johnson will work part-time for the state on unspecified “special projects.”

Read the entire article: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/health/wv-drug-czar-steps-down/article_4eb5b4b2-6a65-5ac5-a708-770b6641e276.html

See more from the Charleston Gazette-Mail

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

And get our latest content in your inbox

Invalid email address