MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Berkeley County Recovery Resources reports there have been 69 overdose deaths and 677 non-fatal suspected overdoses in Berkeley County so far this year.
The report released this week reveals overdose deaths have doubled for 2020.
Recovery Services Coordinator Stephanie R. Stout said the pandemic is complicating the struggle some community members are facing to get mental health and substance use care, often due to cost, lack of access, and a shortage of providers and resources. As people who had been getting help before stay-at-home orders found their care interrupted, some providers have begun to offer telehealth services.
Stout said the recovery community had to adapt to changes to ensure there were supports for those seeking or in recovery.
Stout calls the rise in suspected overdoses and overdose deaths alarming for the Eastern Panhandle but there’s hope for a reversal of the trend with 507 new, first-time participants receiving recovery services though the Recovery Resources Center. Stout said there’s an additional 280 “repeat participants” that continue to receive support in one way or another. There have been 83 individuals received treatment from an intensive outpatient, medically assisted treatment, and inpatient residential or detox program. There have been over 206 recovery meetings held in-house. Naloxone training continues as well.
The newly formed Berkeley County Quick Response Team has engaged with 69 individuals since their start up in mid-October.
If you, a friend or loved one have a substance use disorder, call Recovery Resources at 304-350-3080.