Overdose deaths soar in Virginia in 2020
and last updated 2020-12-23 11:28:08-05
NORFOLK, Va. - More than 2,000 people are predicted to die by drug overdoses in Virginia in 2020, the highest number ever. Overall, 2020 is looking like we re having a dramatic increase in overdoses since the pandemic began, said Rosie Hobron, a state forensic epidemiologist with the Virginia Department of Health.
The biggest culprit is fentanyl. The opioid was responsible for nearly 80% of fatal drug overdoses in the second quarter of this year. The drug is often mixed with other drugs like cocaine or heroin.
The overdose numbers are a sharp turn in Virginia. Just two years ago, the number of overdose deaths had dropped for the first time in several years, but that progress has now been erased.
Pandemic, virtual learning adding stress to end of college semester: expert shares health advice
More than 70% of higher education students experienced more stress and anxiety because of the pandemic, according to a recently published study. Author: Eugene Daniel (WVEC) Updated: 12:03 AM EST December 11, 2020
NORFOLK, Va. Bryan Ruffin, a senior at Old Dominion University, will graduate with a degree in public relations later this month. But the journey has not been easy.
“I’m an in-person learner,” he said. “When you are online there are lot of distractions, and I am not able to focus the same way you would in a classroom.”