West Virginians More likely To OD Than People in Other States

Posted by Cindy on June 18, 2009

According to a study conducted by the Sunday Gazette Mail and West Virginia Public Broadcasting, West Virginians are more likely to die from drug overdoses than people in any other state.

Overdose has become the leading cause of death in the state for adults under the age of 45. This number is more than car wrecks, heart attacks, or even cancer. That information has got police stepping up patrols to get the drugs out of the hands of drug dealers, and put those people behind bars.

State police have even recently signed an memo with the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy. As part of the Drug Diversion Unit, state police will be combating doctor shoppers, pill mills, and pharmacies that are illegally giving out medications. Police say that one of the reasons this is such a big problem is because prescription drugs are so easy for virtually anyone to obtain.

The Partnership/MetLife Foundation Parents Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) reveals a strong increase in parental awareness of the dangers of one of the most troubling and persistent trends in teen drug use – teen abuse of prescription medications. Experts suggest contacting a drug addiction treatment or drug rehab program for more information on over the counter drug abuse or for other drug rehab.