A bipartisan group of candidates running for city council in Charleston say the city needs to tackle the region’s drug crisis by decriminalizing cannabis and supporting harm-reduction programs.
Frank Harrison Annie, a Republican Charleston City Council candidate, said lack of broadband access can cut off residents from telehealth, mental-health support and job opportunities, all of which affect substance use and public health.
Infrastructure affects public health. If you don’t have housing, you don’t have ready internet, you don’t have all of these services to be a member of the modern age, you’re going to be left behind.
Dr. Frank Annie, Charleston City Councilor
The number of Mountain State residents with a high-speed home internet connection has dropped slightly to around 82%, according to a Federal Communications Commission report released last year.