The Battle Against Heroin

According to a report released earlier this summer by Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, West Virginia has the highest rate of overdose deaths in the United States—more than double the national average. In 2011 to 2013, there were about 34 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 West Virginia residents in 2011 to 2013. The national average was only 13.4. Even when compared to the second-highest state, New Mexico, which was at 28.2 overdose deaths per 100,000 residents, West Virginia was still way ahead.

And the Ohio Valley is no exception. In 2014, the Ohio Valley saw an increase in overdose deaths. This increase led to the creation of a federal task force, as well as U.S. Attorney Bill Ihlenfield’s Ohio Valley Addiction plan, with the hopes of combating the region’s drug problems. Of particular importance, however, is the increase in heroin overdoses and related deaths.  In 2014, it was estimated that two to three heroin overdoses occurred each week in the Ohio Valley. Young adults, which are more susceptible to developing an addiction to heroin, were the hardest hit.

In June, high school students from the Ohio Valley unveiled the newest heroin awareness public service announcement (PSA) called #ThisIsHeroin.

The PSA was created as part of Ihlenfield’s Ohio Valley Addiction plan. Wheeling Park student Noah Clune wrote and produced the entire PSA.  In an interview with WTRF, Noah stated: “I want to increase awareness to everyone of what’s happening in the Ohio Valley because we . . . have a serious problem.”

“The heroin epidemic,” as it is being called, has pressured some states to adopt laws on the use of naloxone in schools. Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, can reverse the effects of an overdose; it works almost immediately to get the overdose patient breathing again. Five states have adopted laws this year on the use of naloxone in schools. Rhode Island, for example, requires naloxone to be available in all middle, junior high and high schools. Other states allow schools or encourage schools to buy it. With the increase in drug overdoses and related deaths, including those resulting from heroin, should West Virginia follow suit?