Jones outlines plans to combat fentanyl epidemic, Miyares says he’s already doing that

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for Attorney General, is unveiling his plans to tackle the fentanyl epidemic. 

In an announcement in Richmond on Tuesday, Sept. 16, Jones said he’ll create a drug trafficking unit within the attorney general’s office that will work with local law enforcement to pool resources and intelligence to stop those who traffic fentanyl. 

“Go after the folks who are laundering money and making sure that we’re also working with our community leaders to know that they have a support system in our unit so that we are there to provide the best services for them,” Jones told 8News. 

Jones added that he supports expanding specialty drug courts to help those struggling with addiction get the treatment they need without going to jail or prison. 

“We want to treat this problem on the front end and make sure that we’re not condemning people for the rest of their lives for mistakes that they may have, or an addiction that is beyond their control, and so I do think if we can scale that, we can have a lot of success,” Jones said.

However, Jones’ opponent, Republican incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, said that with Virginia already experiencing one of the largest decreases in drug overdose deaths in the nation, he’s proven he can do the work when it comes to combating fentanyl. 

“I know there are Virginians alive today because of the successful programs we initiate in the attorney general’s office as the people’s protector, going after the drug dealers, getting Virginians the addiction treatment they need so they can go live their best life,” Miyares told 8News. 

Miyares added that his “One Pill Can Kill” education campaign, along with his efforts to rid Virginia’s streets of fentanyl, have saved countless lives in Virginia. 

“My office alone has prosecuted and removed enough fentanyl off the streets of Virginia that would have killed seven million Virginians,” Miyares said.

Voters will choose between Jones and Miyares as early as Friday, Sept. 19 when early voting begins in Virginia.