WCHSTV – A new report from the Center on Budget and Policy said treating and addressing drug addiction cost West Virginia an estimated $11.3 billion in one year. Read the full article.
The report was written by economist Jill Kriesky.
The Herald-Dispatch reported it said the state spent that much in 2019 on issues that stem from the addiction epidemic, including hepatitis, HIV, neonatal abstinence syndrome and an overburdened foster care system.
The report also estimates economic damages from drug-related fatalities in West Virginia were $9.8 billion in 2019. It supports improved studies of substance abuse-related issues and more syringe exchanges and other harm reduction services.
