evidence: Report: Overdose Deaths Hit Record In West Virginia CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The number of fatal drug overdoses in West Virginia hit a record last year, according to preliminary state data showing at least 1,275 residents died. [...] The new numbers are a 25% increase from the 1,019 overdose deaths in 2017, which previously was the only year overdose deaths exceeded 1,000 people in West Virginia.