Southwest Virginia Overdoses On Rise Since Pandemic Began

30 people in southwest Virginia have died from drug overdoses since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in January through June of this year. Four of eight southwest Virginia counties saw increases in deaths including, Tazewell County which reported 11 overdoses according to the Virginia Medical Examiners Office. In addition, Lee, Scott and Russell Counties all reported increases in overdose deaths during the first half of this year. Washington, Dickinson, and Wise counties saw decreases and Buchanan County reported no overdose deaths during the period. Experts are blaming the increase in overdose deaths on social isolation, and job losses during the ongoing pandemic.