NUMBER OF FATAL OVERDOSES AND DRUGS INVOLVED IN WV FROM 2013 - 2023*

This graph shows the trends for all fatal drug overdoses recorded in West Virginia from 2013 to 2023, including the kinds of drugs involved in the overdoses. The data comes from death certificates analyzed by the state's Chief Medical Examiner. Most recorded overdoses involve more than one drug and overdoses involving an opioid include any and all opioids. Please read the story for more context.

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*The data for 2022 and 2023 is considered preliminary and is subject to change slightly as more information becomes available about the deaths and delayed reports are considered. **The state of West Virginia did not start testing or reporting the presence of xylazine in drug overdoses until 2018

Chart: Caity CoyneSource: The West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical ExaminerGet the dataCreated with Datawrapper