The report found that the state's rate of deaths from Drug Overdose And Death Rates Soar In West Virginia was over double the national average of 13.4 deaths per 100,000 people and more than the state with the second highest number, New Mexico at 28 per 100,000. This figure is sure to put the poor region of Appalachia in the spotlight, especially as West Virginia's figures are much higher than they were just a few years ago.
The health officer for the state pointed out that several factors contributed to West Virginia's high addiction and overdose numbers, including rugged terrain, isolated communities, a lack of good educational facilities and few programs offering help for substance abuse.
One of the worst areas for addiction and deaths from overdose is Cabell County, where this year alone there were over 30 deaths from overdosing. The director of drug control in the city of Huntington has pointed out that he and other bodies are trying to address and acknowledge the problem, instead of just ignoring it.
Cases of hepatitis C have also increased dramatically in the state, especially in some of its poorer areas, with numbers tripling since 2006. West Virginia is now one of four Appalachian states with high numbers of Hepatitis C cases, along with Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky.
However, West Virginia authorities and organizations are taking various steps to reverse this trend. Doctors who operate pill mills have been targeted and in 2010, two Williamson pharmacists were sentenced to six months each in jail for fraud.
Other steps to curb addiction in West Virginia and lower the number of overdose related deaths have included taking out a lawsuit to unseal records concerning excessive drug shipments. West Virginia senator Joe Manchin has also campaigned for the reinstatement of a national program allowing people to turn in unwanted or expired prescription drugs.
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