By Sierra Marling, The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — For the first time in four years, the national and state overdose death rates have dropped, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Between April 2023 and April 2024, overdose deaths declined by 10.6% in the U.S., and by 11.56% in West Virginia. This is the first time since 2020 that national overdose deaths have decreased.
This news comes a month after Jeremiah Samples, senior policy adviser for the West Virginia Legislature, gave a sobering report on the current state of the drug epidemic to the West Virginia Joint Health Committee during the August interim legislative session.
“We are cautiously optimistic as the data points to real progress in our efforts to combat the opioid crisis in West Virginia,” Christina Mullins, DoHS Deputy Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, said in a news release. “While much of our data is provisional, the numbers offer hope that our comprehensive strategies, including expanded access to treatment and prevention programs, are making an impact.”
Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., released a statement praising “relentless, bipartisan efforts” such as:
- Directing millions to the Drug Free Communities program, the Overdose Data to Action States program and other federal substance use prevention initiatives
- Passing the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act
- Implementing the Protecting Jessica Grubb’s Legacy Act (Legacy Act)
- Designating National Fentanyl Awareness Day in May and National Naloxone Awareness Day in June
- Expanding access to naloxone
- Pushing the Federal Drug Administration to reform its opioid approval process
- Enhancing youth education around substance use
