RT Article
T1 Individual and Community Characteristics of the Opioid Crisis in West Virginia
JF Journal of drug issues
VO 54
IS 4
SP 542
OP 559
A1 Hodges, Collin D.
A2 Stephens, Heather M.
A2 Sedney, Cara
LA English
YR 2024
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1902694295
AB In this paper we examine the changing demographics of overdose deaths in West Virginia based upon death certificate and economic data in West Virginia for the years 2001–2016. During the period under study, opioid overdose deaths accounted for 7% of deaths overall, and a significant number of premature deaths. Those affected were an average of 41 years old and were more likely to be unmarried and less than college educated. Eighty percent were employed at the time of death and individual employment in specific industries was associated with an increased risk of opioid overdose death. Previous state and national level policies attempting to address the opioid crisis may have lagged behind the data trends for this time period and thus been less effectual. Future policies intended to ameliorate the harms associated with the opioid crisis should reflect current data trends to help the communities and individuals at high risk for overdose death.
K1 death certificates
K1 Opioids
K1 overdose deaths
DO 10.1177/00220426231179211