West Virginia officials today announced a further reduction in overdose fatalities across the state.
New data comparing the first four months of 2023 to the same period in 2024 shows a provisional 34% decrease in overdose deaths, according to the West Virginia Department of Human Services, Office of Drug Control Policy.
The agency said that marks another significant improvement from last month’s 28% drop.
Even with pending autopsies, the decrease is not expected to fall below 25%, reinforcing West Virginia’s progress in combating the opioid crisis, state officials said.
“This decline in overdose deaths is a promising sign, but it’s not a signal to let up. We are not backing off – we are doubling down,” said Dr. Stephen Loyd, director of the Office of Drug Control Policy Director.
“The fight to save lives continues. We’ve seen improvements, but our mission is far from complete. We are pushing forward, expanding access to naloxone, treatment, and other critical resources to drive this number down even further.
The update reflects a similar national trend showing improvement from last month’s data.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention shows 1,171 reported fatal overdoses in West Virginia through this past May.
That is down from the 1,376 reported fatal overdoses reflected in CDC data through May 2023.
The decline over the year is 14.9 percent for West Virginia, according to the CDC.
The CDC cautions that drug overdose deaths are often initially reported with no cause of death because they require lengthy investigation, including toxicology testing. Reported provisional counts may not include all deaths that occurred during a given time period so they should not be considered comparable with final data and are subject to change.
“We’re proud of this progress, but this is not a victory lap. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much more we need to do,” said Christina Mullins, deputy secretary of mental health and substance abuse disorders for the Department of Human Services.
“Every life saved matters, and we will keep expanding prevention and treatment programs to ensure that the overdose death rate keeps dropping.”
National interpretations of possible reasons for the fatal overdose declines include the prevalence of naloxone to respond to overdose conditions and the subsiding of pandemic-era conditions like isolation and increased stress.
“We still have a long way to go, but the accessibility of Naloxone has made a huge difference. I believe that is the number one contributor to this positive trajectory,” said Erin DeLullo, a West Virginia resident who hosts The Poisoning newsletter and podcast.
“While this is good news, we should not take our foot off the gas. Instead, this is proof we should redouble our efforts to distribute this life-saving medication to every West Virginian, and to continue informing the public about its benefits in reversing fentanyl poisoning.”
The Office of Drug Control Policy, alongside the Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment, continues to ramp up efforts to combat substance use disorders through increased naloxone distribution, expanded treatment programs, and ongoing partnerships with local, state, and federal entities.
So far in 2024, the agency has distributed 72,437 naloxone kits, and is on track to surpass last year’s distribution record.
Gov. Jim Justice addressed the latest numbers during an administration briefing today.
“We’re improving in West Virginia. We’re improving with education and everything. A lot of people do a lot of good work but at the end of the day we’ve still got a big problem in West Virginia with drugs, and we need to stay on top of it,” Justice said.
Senator Joe Manchin, an independent representing West Virginia, released a statement this week to describe optimism over reports that overdose deaths declined significantly and in West Virginia.
Manchin said the news “represents significant progress in our fight against the devastating drug epidemic that has touched every corner of West Virginia and the entire country.”
He said more progress is necessary but concluded the decline in drug overdose deaths “is a powerful sign of hope towards an America in which every single community is safe, healthy and drug-free. I pledge to build on this momentum and continue doing absolutely everything in my power to protect my fellow West Virginians and Americans from the drug epidemic.”