In a significant move to combat the ongoing opioid crisis, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced the appointment of Dr. Stephen Loyd as the new permanent director of the Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP). Dr. Loyd, a nationally renowned addiction medicine specialist, will assume his role on August 12, becoming the sixth drug czar for the state in seven years.
The Intelligence news site noted, thar Dr. Loyd, currently the chief medical officer for Cedar Recovery in Tennessee, brings a wealth of experience to West Virginia. He has been in recovery from his own addictions to opioids and benzodiazepines since 2004, a journey that inspired actor Michael Keaton's role in the Hulu miniseries "Dopesick." This series provides a fictional account of the opioid crisis from the perspectives of those with substance use disorders, healthcare professionals, and pharmaceutical companies.
“Today, I am announcing the appointment of Dr. Stephen Loyd,” Governor Justice said during his weekly briefing. “Many of you probably know Stephen Loyd. I think he is an incredible man, and he is going to be the director of our Office of Drug Control Policy. I think you’ll find he brings a lot of experience and a lot of stuff to the table.”
Dr. Loyd has an impressive background, having served as the vice president of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners and as the drug czar for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services from 2015 to 2018. His life story and professional accomplishments position him uniquely to lead West Virginia’s efforts against substance abuse.
“I am deeply honored to join the Office of Drug Control Policy,” Dr. Loyd stated. “Together, we will continue to advance data-driven, comprehensive strategies to combat substance abuse and improve the lives of West Virginians. I want to thank Gov. Justice for his trust in appointing me to this role, and I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated team under the leadership of Secretary Cynthia Persily to make a meaningful impact in West Virginia communities.”
Dr. Loyd’s appointment was hinted at during the Southern Legislative Conference at the Greenbrier Resort, where he was a panelist discussing successful crisis intervention programs. Although the Department of Human Services (DoHS) did not confirm his appointment at the time, the Governor’s Office has now made it official.
The ODCP, created by House Bill 2620 in April 2017, is responsible for developing state drug control policies, strategic planning, and advising the governor and the Legislature. Under Governor Justice's administration, significant initiatives like the Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse and Treatment and the Jobs and Hope program have been established to support individuals with substance use disorders in getting treatment, recovering, and reintegrating into the workforce.
Dr. Loyd’s appointment follows a series of short tenures by previous ODCP directors. The first director, Jim Johnson, served only five months. His successor, Dr. Michael Brumage, stepped down after less than two months. Bob Hansen served from the end of 2018 until Dr. Matt Christiansen took over in 2020. Christiansen was promoted to state health officer and commissioner of the Bureau of Public Health in January 2023, with Rachel Thaxton serving as interim director until Dr. Loyd’s appointment.
West Virginia has struggled with the highest drug overdose mortality rate in the nation according to 2022 data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the state has seen a slight improvement, with a .14% decrease in the predicted 12-month count of drug overdose deaths between February 2023 and February 2024. Nationally, the overdose death rate dropped by 5% in 2023.
Governor Justice acknowledged the severity of the issue, stating, “Black, white, rich or poor, it doesn’t matter. It affects every last single one of us and it is still a bad situation in West Virginia. It’s still a bad situation all the way across the globe. Absolutely, we’ve still got tons of work to do. I think Stephen Loyd will bring a whole lot to the table. We’re really excited about him coming on board.”
Dr. Stephen Loyd’s leadership is anticipated to bring renewed vigor and expertise to West Virginia’s fight against substance abuse, with hopes of creating lasting improvements in the state’s public health landscape.
If you are struggling with an addiction, know that there is hope. Avenues Recovery can help you reach sobriety. Reach out today to begin your recovery journey.