Issue Position: Public Health and Safety

Issue Position

Public Health and Safety
Gary is concerned with many of the issues facing our public health system. Healthcare costs are spiraling out of control. The opioid crisis is consuming the lives of those affected by addiction as well as their families. Since 1999, sales of prescription painkillers to hospitals, doctors, and pharmacies has increased fourfold and the number of overdose deaths from pain medications has increased by 300%. We need to educate the public and the medical community on better and safer prevention and treatment practices. Additionally, Gary has met with parents who are concerned with youth mental health issues. In Richmond he will fight to ensure that there is a greater level of youth mental health awareness and resources available to help those in need. Additionally, human trafficking is an issue that Northern Virginia has been facing for years, and one that needs to be better addressed so that all Virginians can enjoy their basic human rights. Gang violence is on the raise in our area and we need to devote more resources to support a regional gang task force and to enact policies that require deportation of illegal alien gang members. To provide proper protection for our citizens and communities, we need to ensure that we have adequate support for our first responders such as firefighters, police officers, and EMTs.

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