John Plumb
JAMESTOWN – Democratic candidate for Congress John Plumb was at the Mental Health Association (MHA) in Jamestown Tuesday afternoon to meet with workers and residents who are on the front line of the drug epidemic.
The Randolph native and Naval Officer spent an hour talking with more than two dozen others from the community about the drug problem facing Chautauqua County and much of the United States, as well as identifying possible solutions.
Following the meeting, Plumb said there were several takeaways, including the need for better treatment options for those who are seeking help in overcoming their addiction.
“Vivitrol is a really promising tool to help treat addicts that need help. It’s not the only thing and it’s just one piece of the solution, but I think it’s an important thing that could work in rural communities,” Plumb said, adding that something also needs to be done about the wait time that is often associated with addicts seeking help. “The second takeaway is that if someone needs help and knows they are on a downward spiral with opiates, we have to find a way so they aren’t turned away from that help and have to wait until it gets worse or until they overdose. That’s causing too many extra deaths, too many addictions, and if someone is strong enough to realize they need help, we have to help them.”
Plumb said he plans to use what he learned during Tuesday’s meeting to help further his develop his campaign platform regarding the current Opioid Epidemic sweeping the country.
“Jamestown and our entire area has been crippled by addiction – and I think we can all agree that our elected officials can be doing more to help,” explained Andrew Hribar, a veteran from Randolph and member of the MHA community who was on hand for the event and also introduced Plumb to the others who were in attendance. “U.S. Navy Commander John Plumb is running this year to be that person and when the time for action comes I am confident that he will act and look out for our best interests.”
Plumb is challenging Republican incumbent Tom Reed of Corning for the 23rd Congressional District, which covers much of the Southern Tier of the State, including all of Chautauqua County.
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