The Mathews County Resources Council held its second panel presentation Sept. 21 on the continuing danger posed by the opioid epidemic. Professionals from law enforcement, health organizations, local schools, and state government came together in a nine-person panel to inform the community.

Tiffany Gordon, director of the Mathews Department of Social Services, spoke first on the role her organization plays, as well as the effects this crisis is having on families. So far this year, “six of the seven children removed from houses in Mathews have been due to opioids,” Gordon stated. 

She went on to describe Social Services’ process when addressing reports of parents using or abusing drugs, beginning with determining if the claims meet validity. While “the burden of proving drug use is difficult … I don’t think children lie about seeing needles,” Gordon explained.

Del. Keith Hodges (R-Urbanna), who is also the owner of the Gloucester Pharm...