Drug overdoses kill more in state than auto accidents

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin unveiled a statewide plan last week to fight the substance abuse epidemic in West Virginia. He dedicated $7.5 million for the establishment and expansion of regionally based substance abuse support services. 

“Substance abuse is a crisis both in West Virginia and across America. Recent information shows drug overdoses now kill more West Virginians than car accidents. Drugs are the leading cause of accidental deaths in our state, and we have the nation’s highest rate of drug deaths. Even more alarming, nine out of ten of our overdose deaths involve at least one prescription drug,” Tomblin said in a recent statement.

“We need more prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery programs in all four corners of the state in order to fight the substance abuse epidemic,” Tomblin said when announcing the news plan last week. “By continuing to invest in services to combat and treat substance abuse, we are making it easier to access help-especially for our young people and women.”

In the coming months, the State Department of Health & Human Resources will solicit bids to establish and expand services in the various regions of the state.

For northeast West Virginia (Region 2), funding will be used for screening, brief interventions and treatment referral at a women’s treatment and recovery facility in the Potomac Highlands area.