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Appalachia Health News tells the story of our health challenges and how we overcome them throughout the region. 

Drug Policy Appointee Resigns Weeks After Appointment

Courtesy of West Virginia University

Dr. Michael Brumage resigned today as director of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ Office of Drug Control Policy after less than two months on the job.

In an email, Brumage said that it “was clear that the distractions of the Charleston syringe service program were overshadowing my work” and that he feels he’ll be better able to serve the state in another capacity.

The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department’s needle exchange program has recently come under fire from Mayor Danny Jones and Police Chief Steve Cooper.

The DHHR issued a press release Friday morning in which Brumage says that he is committed to the health and well-being of all West Virginians and “can do so best through my work with the West Virginia University School of Public Health, away from the distraction of recent events.”

Susie Mullens, program manager of DHHR’s Office of Drug Control Policy, will assume the role of interim director.

Appalachia Helth News

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Marshall Health, Charleston Area Medical Center and WVU Medicine.


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