CHARLESTON — Preliminary drug overdose deaths in West Virginia continue to follow downward national trends since peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Drug Control Policy, there has been a 36% decrease in the estimated number of drug overdose deaths when comparing numbers from January to May 2024 to the same five-month period in 2023.

Gov. Jim Justice first announced the decline in drug overdose deaths Tuesday afternoon during his weekly administrative briefing at the State Capitol Building.

“We’re happy to report that West Virginia has achieved a remarkable 36% decrease in overdose deaths… that’s a really, really good thing there,” said justice.

When impending drug overdose deaths are taken into account, the five-month decrease from the previous year falls to 28%, following a national trend in drug overdose deaths peaking in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking at a 12-month period ending in June 2024, the Office of Drug Control Policy said drug overdose deaths in West Virginia decreased 18.52% from the previous 12-month period, surpassing the national decline in drug overdose deaths during the same period. -month of 14.5%.

“This continued reduction in overdose deaths is promising and we are amplifying our efforts. » said Dr. Stephen Loyd, director of the Office of Drug Control Policy. “The fight to save lives continues and while we have made notable progress, our work is far from done. We will continue to expand access to life-saving tools like naloxone, comprehensive treatment programs, and critical resources to continue to drive these numbers down.

According to the most recent data from the Office of Drug Control Policy Data Dashboard, there were approximately 1,069 drug overdose deaths in August, compared to an estimated 1,440 overdose deaths in August 2023, a decrease 25.8% of temporary overdose deaths.

“We are proud of the progress we have made as it reflects the efforts of our dedicated teams, community partners and healthcare providers. » said Christina Mullins, assistant secretary of Health and Human Services for mental health and substance use disorders. “Every life saved reinforces our commitment to improving and expanding prevention and treatment services across the state. »

According to previous statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, West Virginia experienced 1,335 confirmed overdose deaths in 2022. For perspective, overdose deaths between 2017 and 2022 increased by more than 55%, Overdose deaths between 2010 and 2022 increased by 135% and overdose deaths between 1999 and 2022 increased by 1,690%.