Overdose deaths in America increase in unexpected shocking numbers

West Virginia has the highest percentage of overdose related deaths in the United States, according to a non-profit research report released earlier this week.

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MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - According to the report, released by Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, there were about 33.5 percent drug overdose deaths per 100,000 West Virginia residents from 2011 to 2013. The researchers wrote that "West Virginia's [drug overdose death] rate increased from 20.3 per 100,000 people in 2007 to 2009 to 33.5 percent in 2011 to 2013, a 65 percent increase."

The researchers also included these statistics in the report, "Five states had rates exceeding 20 deaths per 100,000 people. Kentucky (24.6), Nevada (21.6), New Mexico (24.6),Utah (21.5), West Virginia (33.5)."

"More than 48,000 Americans die from poisoning - including drug overdoses - each year. Nine out of 10 of these deaths (nearly 44,000) are due to drugs," the report stated. "There are 120 drug overdoses a day and 6,700 emergency department visits for misuse or abuse of drugs. More than 22,000 overdose deaths involve prescription drugs, which have sharply increased in the past 15 years."

Booth Goodwin, a United States attorney, explained that "It's more than disappointing. It's devastating. Can I say that I'm shocked? I'm not, because I know the depth of this problem."

According to Dr. Rahul Gupta, a health officer at West Virginia, the causes or the reasons show discrepancy, but they are entwined. According to Dr. Gupta, it can be because of West Virginia's record of meager education, coupled with people's isolation in its steep and mountainous terrain.

He said, "Whether it's drug use, whether it's mental health, it's physical health, a number of those things are going hand-in-hand."

Jim Johnson, Huntington's director of drug control policy also said that "The drug problem is our No. 1 problem."

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