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PARKERSBURG -- The number of fatal overdoses has nearly tripled in West Virginia within the past decade, according to information provided through the findings of studies directly linked to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In an attempt to address the situation, all of West Virginia's counties are working to do more to help prevent opioid related deaths with the first statewide "Save a Life: Free Naloxone Day."
West Virginia's Office of Drug Control Policy is supplying naloxone -- also known by its brand name Narcan -- which is the most common treatment for reversing opioid overdoses. It comes in the form of a nasal spray and is highly effective in preventing fatalities associated with opioid abuse.
The West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute is making it possible for all residents to have naloxone on hand with the free distribution of the drug through the Save a Life program. The institute is also providing over 10,000 fentanyl test strips across the state for free distribution at each county event location scheduled for this coming Thursday.
The CDC's information shows that nearly 85% of those overdoses are linked to controlled substances including opioids.
Nationally, the CDC estimates 91 of the more than 140 Americans who die each day from drug overdose fall victim to opioids. In 2021, the CDC determined fatal overdoses took more than 1,417 West Virginia lives, with 1,201 linked to opioids.
An estimated 500 people residing in West Virginia died by overdose in 2010, 70 percent of them blamed on controlled substances. In October 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared "the opioid crisis a public health emergency."
One event coordinator, Debbie Thompson of Pleasants County, explained, "This is the first time we have held one of these events. The state has provided us with 50 free Narcan kits and 500 fentanyl strips to share with our participants. Everyone must be trained on the proper administration of Narcan before they receive free product. I have 12 or more volunteers that have received training in advance and will assist with the educational training for the public."
Thompson also touched on the stigma surrounding opioid abuse in the area, "Unfortunately, there is varied amounts of Stigma in each county regarding substance use disorders. I have been using a lot of social media to promote our event and have received a few negative comments but try to stress that every life is precious and deserves a new breath of life."
The events per county will also serve as an educational experience as each county will have several community service agencies that will join in efforts to educate by sharing their expertise and featuring materials the public may view and take that will be arranged on display tables.
There will also be free lunch provided to everyone who joins each county event location. Some counties, such as Pleasants, will also be "providing backpacks filled with personal care items and various incentives, as well as community clothing store gift cards and food and laundry detergent vouchers," Thompson said.
To attend or to find more information about events in each county, visit soarwv.org and contact the individual responsible for a particular county.