Virginia is experiencing an opioid crisis of overwhelming proportions. At least two Virginians die from prescription opioid and heroin overdoses every day. The Virginia Department of Health reported a 38% increase in deaths from prescription opioid and heroin overdoses between 2012 and 2014.1 Opioid abuse is increasing in Virginia due to high levels of prescription opioid drug supply, lack of understanding of the issue among the public and providers, and limited availability of treatment. Virginia’s Medicaid program spent $26 million on opioid use and misuse in 2013, with $10 million of this spending occurring in Southwest Virginia. More broadly, at least 40,000 adults in Virginia’s Medicaid program have a substance abuse disorder, and over 50% of Medicaid members with serious mental illness also have a substance use disorder.

Click below to read more.