Charlottesville Police have seen a dramatic increase in calls to respond to opioid overdoses. That’s according to Police Chief Michael Kochis, who says the numbers have jumped from 31 overdoses in 2019 to 101 last year.

Chief Kochis says the police cannot solve the opioid problem in the country alone and emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach beyond law enforcement. He stressed the impact on communities of color and the challenges faced in addressing the root causes of the crisis. The chief reiterated the necessity for a multifaceted approach to the drug crisis, emphasizing both prevention and the importance of intervention for mid to upper-level drug trafficking.

This news comes just days after Senator Mark Warner introduced the Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act. The legislation is aimed at improving security to detect illegal drugs being smuggled into the country, which included increased funding for Officers and Border Patrol Agents.