evidence: Data updated July 19, 2024 1,335 overdose deaths in 2022. That means 75 out of every 100,000 people in West Virginia died of drug overdose. This was the second highest drug overdose death rate in the state since data from 1999 became available. [...] In 2022, West Virginia had a drug overdose death rate higher than the US rate overall, nearly 148% higher. The drug overdose death rate in West Virginia increased in 18 of the last 23 years for which data is available. The overdose death rate has increased 57% since 2018 and has increased 2.5 times since 2013. [...] Although drug overdose deaths are on the rise, they affect geographic areas differently. In 2022, the death rate for overdoses in West Virginia ranged from 43 per 100,000 in Monongalia County to 157 per 100,000 in McDowell County.