A Crisis Ignored: The Rising Toll of Overdose Deaths in Black West Virginia Communities

By Martin Staunton for BBG

The opioid epidemic in West Virginia has long been a crisis, but recent data from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) indicates that while overall overdose deaths are declining, the numbers tell a different and troubling story for Black residents in the state.

According to Dr. Stephen Loyd, Director of the West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy, minority overdose deaths are rising, even as the state sees an overall reduction in opioid-related fatalities. Dr. Loyd highlighted this alarming trend during a town hall meeting in Kanawha County, warning that progress in the fight against opioid addiction cannot be celebrated while racial disparities persist.

“The tendency is, ‘Oh, they’re going down. Our work is getting done.’ But that’s not exactly true,” said Dr. Loyd.

He emphasized that the uptick in overdose deaths is not exclusive to African Americans but is affecting all communities of color, including Native American and Latino populations.

“Just anybody of color—African Americans, Native Americans, Latino…you know…anybody of color—the numbers are either flat or going up, and it’s a concern,” he said.

Disparities in Treatment and Justice

Rev. James Patterson, CEO of the Partnership of African American Churches, is deeply involved in addiction recovery and community support. He was not surprised by the recent report detailing the rise in overdose deaths among Black West Virginians.

“It wasn’t surprising and it wasn’t shocking because I already knew that,” said Patterson. “The word on the street is that white people go to treatment, and Black people go to jail. That says the criminal justice system is part of the culture… part of the culprit in terms of why these numbers are so far out of whack… or disproportionate.”

He explained that access to treatment versus incarceration plays a critical role in these disparities, influencing not just initial intervention but long-term recovery outcomes.

The Numbers Behind the Crisis

Data from the West Virginia Public Health Department, released in August, starkly illustrates the racial gap in overdose deaths. Among white residents, there are 77 overdose deaths per 100,000 people. For Black residents, the rate is nearly double at 134 deaths per 100,000. Despite its significance, this statistic is buried deep in the report on page 24 of the 33-page document.

Black By God is providing a link to the full report for those seeking to examine the data firsthand.

The Role of Fentanyl in Rising Deaths

Both Dr. Loyd and Rev. Patterson point to fentanyl as a key driver in the rising overdose death rate among Black West Virginians. The synthetic opioid is increasingly being found in substances where users do not expect it, including stimulants and even marijuana.

“So you look at this population that has intermittently or chronically used a stimulant, and now you adulterate that supply with fentanyl,” said Dr. Loyd. “Now they use it, and they die, right? And a lot of times they don’t know it’s in there. No clue.”

Rev. Patterson echoed these concerns, emphasizing the lack of awareness about fentanyl’s potency and prevalence.

“I don’t believe that people always know the power and the deadliness of fentanyl, nor do they know the substance they are using is fentanyl or that it has been laced with fentanyl,” he said. “And it kills them.”

The Continuing Crisis

While overall opioid-related deaths in West Virginia are declining, the state still leads the nation in fatal overdoses per capita. The racial disparities in overdose deaths reflect broader systemic issues, including inequities in healthcare access, treatment availability, and criminal justice policies.

Dr. Loyd offered a sobering reminder about the ultimate stakes of this crisis: “I mean that’s the end of the ball game… we can’t treat dead people. So we’ve got to figure out a way to keep them alive, and then we’ve got to figure out a way to treat ‘em.”

For more information on this issue and to access the full report, visit BlackByGod.org.

Resources:
CDC: FAST STATS ON OVERDOSES
FastStats – Drug Overdoses
CDC: DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THE U.S.
Products – Data Briefs – Number 522 – December 2024
CDC: UNDERSTANDING THE OPIOID OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC
Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic | Overdose Prevention | CDC
PARTNERSHIP OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCHES
Home – PAAC: Partnership of African American Churches
FIND DRUG ADDICTION REHAB IN WEST VIRGINIA
2025’s Top Rehab Centers in West Virginia (15 Free) – Drug & Alcohol