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Despite years of lip service from the federal government about the importance of fighting the opioid epidemic that has ravaged not just West Virginia but populations across the country, little effort has been put toward making a real difference.

PARKERSBURG — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey visited the Judge Black Annex on Monday to contribute to a roundtable discussion with local law enforcement officials pertaining to the opioid epidemic.

CareSource is working to prevent opioid misuse by providing its members with access to a medication disposal solution.

Key Takeaways: Although the opioid epidemic is nationwide, researchers have identified 25 hot spots throughout the country that are disproportionately affected. White males in their late 20s and early 30s are the most affected by opioid use disorder. Researchers also found that mental distress increased the risk of dying from a drug overdose by as much as 39%.

CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County officials announced late last week plans to use $2.3 million in settlement money to fund two programs aimed at reducing infant mortality.

DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) -- Between June 1, 2020 and May 14, 2021 almost one thousand suspected cases of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) were reported to the Ohio Department of Health, and from the start of his administration, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has been working to help families who suffer from this affliction through the Governor’s Children’s Initiative.

Greater Cincinnati is No. 1 on the University of Cincinnati’s recent list of the country’s 25 hardest-hit opioid hot spots — places where overdoses and overdose deaths are more tightly clustered than anywhere else.

Individuals are up to 50% less likely to stay in treatment for opioid use disorder when they live more than a mile from the nearest provider