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Woody Thrasher on Drugs
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Focus on treatment, prevention, helping families
Q: What do you see as the role of the legislature in addressing the opioid crisis?Thrasher: I would work directly with the Legislature to lead efforts to recovery, including focused strategies for treatment, prevention, supporting law enforcement,
workforce training and helping families. We will add treatment centers, increase long-term treatment beds, ensure prosecution of dealers to the fullest extent of the law and partner with the private and nonprofit sectors to help solve this crisis.
Source: Williamson Daily News on 2020 West Virginia governor race
, Mar 24, 2020
Substance abuse significant problem in West Virginia
Substance abuse is one of the most significant problems West Virginia faces right now. A successful substance use disorder plan must be realistic, comprehensive and long term. It must include support and treatment for those who decide they are "ready"
to avail themselves of treatment and recovery services. We must support local efforts. We also must recognize other illegal substances, such as meth, must be dealt with just as fervently as opioids.
Source: 2020 W.V. Governor campaign website WoodyThrasher2020.com
, Dec 13, 2019
Execute drug dealers whose sales result in death
Woody Thrasher says the opioid problem is such a crisis that the state should have the option of executing drug dealers whose sales result in death. "I think it should be considered when you look at the havoc they wreak on society; we should consider
the sternest of all measures," Thrasher said on MetroNews' "Talkline."The wording in Thrasher's platform is: "In drug crimes that result in death, including the sale of tainted drugs, when the guilt of a person is established beyond a reasonable
doubt, we should consider the death penalty." West Virginia abolished capital punishment in 1965.
Thrasher, speaking on "Talkline," said the Justice administration has dealt too inconsistently with a pervasive problem. "Those folks who are selling
fentanyl-based things, we've got to come down hard on them, Thrasher said. "We've got to come down with a hammer. There is no concerted effort and plan to deal with this problem in West Virginia," Thrasher said. "We have to do better than we're doing.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2020 West Virginia Gubernatorial race
, Oct 24, 2019
Addiction is a disease; but no compassion for dealers
Capital punishment for fatal drug deals is only part of the broader set of proposals Thrasher released. Other proposals include increasing availability of treatment for people who need more than 90 days, providing more support for grandparents raising
children and breaking up the Department of Health and Human Resources.Thrasher emphasized that he believes addiction is a disease that needs to be treated with compassion. But the death penalty proposal stood out as one likely to stir debate.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2020 West Virginia Gubernatorial race
, Oct 24, 2019
Page last updated: Dec 17, 2020
