West Virginia Drug Statistics

Mountaineers are always free in West Virginia. Not only is this the state motto, but for many, it is their way of life. The phenomenal rivers and mountainous terrain allows for the best whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, biking and off-roading on the East Coast. The land also provides the steady, unfaltering economic resources of coal and natural gas. Like so many communities within our nation, West Virginia experiences issues with drug addiction and alcoholism. Palm Partners provides effective, custom-tailored and well-rounded treatment. If you are seeking for help to overcome your chemical dependency, contact Palm Partners now. Our professional staff is standing by, so do not hesitate to call us today.

Data shows that those 18 and older particularly need – and aren’t receiving – drug detox and rehab in West Virginia. If you’re using and abusing, call Palm Partners Addiction Detox and Rehab now for immediate help: 304-520-0001. Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.

What you should know

Largely rural, West Virginia has pronounced problems with the abuse and clandestine manufacture of meth and marijuana as well as with the abuse of pharmaceutical drugs. Cocaine, including crack, and MDMA are available in most areas of the state.

West Virginia drug distributors are well positioned to take advantage of supply sources in eastern cities such as Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. and mid-western cities such as Columbus and Detroit.

Compared to other states

• Illicit drugs overall – moderately high for those 18-25, average for those 26 and older
• Pharmaceuticals – among the highest for those 18 and older
• Cocaine – among the highest for those 18-25, moderately high for those 26 and older
• Marijuana – average for those 26 and older, moderately low for those 18-25
• Alcohol – moderately low for those 18-25, low for those 26 and older

Source: SAMHSA’s most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, based on 2008-2009 annual averages. SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A closer look

Pharmaceuticals

Fastest-growing rate of methadone overdoses. West Virginia leads the nation in methadone-related deaths per capita. Also commonly abused are benzodiazepines and hydrocodone products. Sources are the illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers, “doctor shopping,” employee theft, forged prescriptions and the internet.

Cocaine

Cocaine and crack widely available. Crack abuse generally is among low- and low-middle -income individuals, but crosses all ethnic lines. Source areas for cocaine are more varied than for other drugs consumed in West Virginia and are largely based on the trafficker’s location within the state.

Marijuana

Imported and domestic a serious drug threat. West Virginia is a source for domestic marijuana, although Mexican marijuana is more prevalent.

Club drugs

Increased demand for MDMA (Ecstasy). Abuse is concentrated near Morgantown, the location of West Virginia University, yet college towns in general have high demand. Because of West Virginia’s remote terrain, the area is has numerous private rave parties.

Heroin

Limited demand and availability. Small groups of long-term addicts rely on each other to get heroin from cities such as Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Methamphetamine

Labs decreasing. But manufacture in the Panhandle region has expanded into other areas of northern West Virginia, while some activity is also in the southeastern part of the state bordering Kentucky and Virginia. Meth distributors in West Virginia often share Mexican sources of supply with distributors in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley region.

Alcohol

Not a significant problem.

Percentage of West Virginia population using/abusing drugs

¹ Age group is based on a respondent’s age at the time of the interview, not his or her age at first use.

² Illicit Drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically. Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana include cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically.

³ When the Perception of Great Risk in using marijuana or alcohol is low, use of marijuana or alcohol is high.

⁴ Binge Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion (i.e., at the same time or within a couple of hours of each other) on at least 1 day in the past 30 days.

⁵ Dependence or abuse is based on definitions found in the 4^th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

⁶ Needing But Not Receiving Treatment refers to respondents needing treatment for illicit drugs or alcohol, but not receiving treatment at a specialty facility.

⁷ Major Depressive Episode is a period of at least 2 weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities and had a majority of the symptoms for depression as described in the DSM-IV.

Source: Condensed version of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2004 and 2005, from SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies.