A study, recently published by the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, has revealed an estiated 146 Americans die every day due to drug overdose. The disease is growing so rapidly, the commission is urging President Trump to enact a national emergency in response.
John Dowdy, director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, says the number of Mississippians affected is growing, as well: “It’s amazing and somewhat tragic the number of families in Mississippi that have been impacted by this epidemic.”
However, Dowdy adds the state’s recent town hall-style meeting have been drawing hundreds of concerned people to hear and learn more about how they can fight the growing crisis.
“Folks are really engaged in this issue. We’re getting a great response” Dowdy said. “We had 200 people in Tupelo; over 200 in Hattiesburg.”
The next town hall meeting is Tuesday, August 1 in Southaven at the Landers Center at 6:30.
Another is scheduled in Corinth for Tuesday, August 15.
