Charleston Leader

Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin spoke to the success of the City’s CARE Team and their work to address substance use disorder, mental health, and homelessness; and highlighted the importance of partnerships with federal agencies in investigating and solving crimes – specifically noting the recent methamphetamine seizure, the largest in West Virginia’s history – during a public safety panel at the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference in Washington, DC. Mayor Goodwin was invited to speak alongside Mayor Giles from Mesa, AZ; Mayor Lumumba from Jackson, MS; and Mayor Scott Baltimore, MD.

“It was a tremendous honor to be invited by the National League of Cities to share insight – during the public safety panel alongside Mayors Giles, Lumumba, and Scott – on the establishment of the CARE Team to address substance use disorder, mental health, and homelessness; and the work Charleston is doing to address public safety, specifically the partnerships we have with federal agencies,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin.  

During the panel Mayor Goodwin spoke to the success of the CARE Team’s work to address substance use disorder, mental health, and homelessness; along with the importance of collaboration and building relationships.

In 2022, the CARE Team:

• Connected 339 individuals to some form of SUD treatment.
• Responded to 380 mental health calls which lead to 63 successful referrals to mental health treatment.
• Made approximately 25 connections daily with unsheltered individuals.
• Reunified 212 individuals with their families or friends living outside of Charleston.
• Assisted with 95 pre-trial diversion opportunities for persons with SUD or mental illness.

Mayor Goodwin also highlighted the important role of federal partnerships in solving crime – specifically noting the collective resources and collaboration that lead to the largest seizure of methamphetamine in the state’s history. 

• The Charleston Police Department worked in coordination with the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, AFT, USPS, WVSP, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement.
• The seizure yielded over 200 pounds of methamphetamine, 28 pounds of cocaine, 20 pounds of fentanyl and countless guns and cash – with nearly 60 people facing federal or state drug charges.

The National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference brings together more than 2,500 elected and appointed city leaders to focus on the federal policy issues that are important to local governments. The conference features an array of national policy experts and officials, including Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Marica Fudge, Office of Management & Budget Director Shalanda Young, Senior White House Advisors Mitch Landrieu and John Podesta, along with countless other federal officials.

The National League of Cities (NLC) is a bipartisan organization dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities with focus on improving qualify of life for current and future constituents. Throughout the year, NLC advocates for cities and towns in Washington, D.C.

Original source can be found here