Tia Welch, BCL for the Charleston Job Corps Center attended the President’s Meeting on October 21, 2015 at the East End Family Resource Center. U.S. President Barack Obama came to WV to address the substance abuse problem with educators, law enforcement, local elected officials, community leaders, family members and addicts in recovery.

On behalf of the state of WV, presentations were made by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV). A panel discussed their personal and professional experiences with President Obama who listened and made comments throughout. Chief Brent Webster, Charleston Police Department and member of the center’s Community Relations Council stated, “This is such an epidemic, and you cannot arrest your way out of this mess,” to large applause. “Part of the reason West Virginia probably has more cases partly has to do with the economics that have been taking place in some of these communities, which is why it’s so important for us to push on that front, as well,” the president said.

The Job Corps program has a significant opportunity to address workforce and economic development by providing academic and career technical training for youth 16-24 to enter the workforce skilled for employment. Providing training to youth in the state of WV prepares them for job opportunities in high demand industries such as Pharmacy Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Network Cabling to name a few which is desperately needed. Also, youth have the opportunity to further their education or enlist in the military after completing the program at Charleston Job Corps Center.

President Obama committed his administration to being part of the solution by addressing prevention and treatment for opiod abuse. “This is something that is not a top-down-solution type of problem alone,” Obama said. “This is going to have to be everybody working together.” By coming to WV the President has shined a spotlight on this epidemic in the state and across the nation. The meeting was closed to the public.