Local Response to Drug Overdose Declines in Charles Town Area
Overdose deaths in West Virginia ease while questions swirl about federal funding for relief programs
WV Metro News | Monday, May 19, 2025
Recent data shows a significant 43.5% drop in overdose deaths in West Virginia, with local advocates like Erin DeLullo from Charles Town highlighting naloxone's crucial role in this decline. However, funding uncertainties loom over programs supporting opioid crisis relief, as federal grants from SAMHSA face potential cuts following the reorganization under the Department of Health and Human Services. Senator Shelley Moore Capito is questioning these changes in upcoming meetings, emphasizing that continued support for treatment and community programs is vital to maintain progress against drug overdoses, particularly in areas such as Ranson and Harpers Ferry.