On Friday, Congressman Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) hosted a workshop for local Tenth District law enforcement agencies focusing on the heroin epidemic that has struck communities in western North Carolina and across the nation. The workshop--which was attended by 20 Tenth District law enforcement agencies--was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and focused on law enforcement strategies to help combat this epidemic.

"The heroin and opioid epidemic has destroyed lives, families, and it threatens our western North Carolina communities," said Congressman McHenry. "This epidemic must be confronted from every angle: awareness of the dangers posed by opioids, preventing access to them, and rehabilitating those suffering from addiction."

"Ultimately our law enforcement agencies are the first line of defense in the fight against this epidemic," Congressman McHenry continued. "The workshop provided these agencies with the information and resources they need to lead this important fight. I thank them for attending and for the hard work they do each and every day to keep us safe." 

At the workshop, Congressman McHenry announced that his office has launched a comprehensive addiction resources page on his website, McHenry.House.Gov. The page includes information on treatment, helplines, and a complete list of drug collection units in the Tenth District. That page can be accessed by clicking here. 

Friday's workshop was held at the Gaston County Administration Building in downtown Gastonia. Congressman McHenry and Jennifer Kline, a Tenth District resident who lost her brother to opioid addiction, also spoke at the workshop. Click here or on the image below for Time Warner Cable News - Charlotte coverage on the workshop. Additionally you can read about the workshop here courtesy of the Lincoln Times-News. 

 
The workshop was attended by 20 Tenth District law enforcement agencies. A full list of the agencies in attendance can be found below:

Gaston County Sheriff's Office
Gaston County Police Department
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
Cramerton Police Department
Mount Holly Police Department
Conover Police Department
Catawba County Sheriff's Office
Polk County Sheriff's Office
Cleveland County Sheriff's Office
Gastonia Police Department
Newton Police Department
Maiden Police Department
Shelby Police Department
Lincolnton Police Department
Asheville Police Department
Buncombe County Anti-Crime Task Force
Buncombe County Sheriff's Office
Stanley Police Department
Hickory Police Department
Belmont Police Department

Additional photos from Friday's workshop can be found on Congressman McHenry's Facebook page. If you would like to use these photos for stories, please contact Jeff Butler.