This story was originally published by Mountain State Spotlight. For more stories from Mountain State Spotlight, visit
More West Virginians died of drug overdoses in 2020 than in any previous year on record, according to new data showing the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on the addiction crisis.
At least
West Virginians died of an overdose in 2020 — a 45% increase from the 878 deaths in 2019, according to the preliminary data. And because the data could still be updated, the actual number of deaths is likely higher.
Kanawha County led the state with 207 drug overdose deaths — up 33% from 2019. But in smaller counties, the increases were more substantial.