West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy Story Archives

Drug Policy Appointee Resigns Weeks After Appointment

Dr. Michael Brumage resigned today as director of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ Office of Drug Control Policy after less than two months on the job.

In an email, Brumage said that it “was clear that the distractions of the Charleston syringe service program were overshadowing my work” and that he feels he’ll be better able to serve the state in another capacity.

The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department’s needle exchange program has recently come under fire from Mayor Danny Jones and Police Chief Steve Cooper.

The DHHR issued a press release Friday morning in which Brumage says that he is committed to the health and well-being of all West Virginians and “can do so best through my work with the West Virginia University School of Public Health, away from the distraction of recent events.”

Susie Mullens, program manager of DHHR’s Office of Drug Control Policy, will assume the role of interim director.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Marshall Health, Charleston Area Medical Center and WVU Medicine.

W.Va. Office of Drug Control Policy Chief Retiring

Jim Johnson, director of the West Virginia’s new Office of Drug Control Policy, has announced his retirement after almost five months in the position.

The office within the Department of Health and Human Resources was established by lawmakers to coordinate and expand state measures against drug abuse.

West Virginia has had the nation’s highest drug overdose death rate and recorded 884 fatalities in 2016.

Johnson was director of Huntington’s Office of Drug Control Policy from 2014 until his retirement there last year. He previously was interim police chief and a police officer in Huntington for more than 40 years.

Department Secretary Bill Crouch says Johnson will continue to work part-time in special projects.

Johnson to Head W.Va. Office of Drug Control Policy

Jim Johnson has been named director of the West Virginia’s new Office of Drug Control Policy.

Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill Crouch announced Johnson’s appointment Thursday.

The Office of Drug Control Policy will combat substance abuse and will be overseen by the Bureau for Public Health.

West Virginia has the nation’s highest drug overdose death rate, with 41.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2015. State health officials say overdose deaths rose nearly 18 percent last year.

Johnson was director of Huntington’s Office of Drug Control Policy from 2014 until his retirement this year. He was a police officer and interim police chief in Huntington.

State to Establish Drug Control Policy Office

West Virginia is establishing a new Office of Drug Control Policy to coordinate statewide funding, reporting and data about drug use, overdoses, addiction treatment, needs and statewide policy.

The law approved by the Legislature and Gov. Jim Justice requires health care providers, pharmacies, medical examiners, police, prosecutors and emergency responders to report suspected or actual overdoses, medical treatments, use of overdose antidotes and drug poisoning deaths.

State data show 844 people died from drug overdoses last year in West Virginia.

Another new law authorizes spending $24 million from recent court settlements with opioid distributors to increase inpatient treatment beds, authorizing health officials to ensure they are available in the highest priority areas.

A third new measure clarifies requirements for using the state’s database for monitoring painkiller prescriptions, including overdose reports.