Drug Rehab Can Save Hardworking Virginia Blue Collar Communities from Prescription Drug Addiction

Southwestern Virginia is home to a longtime tradition of hard work and industry. With coal mining at its roots, it is no stranger to injury and disability. In recent times, however, there is a new aspect creeping in to that tradition, and it's a dark one: Prescription drug addiction and abuse has never been more prevalent than it is now, and the need for drug rehab in Virginia has never been higher.

According to the Virginia medical examiner, more people in Western Virginia died from drug overdoses than from house fires, homicides and alcohol-related car accidents combined. From Harrisonburg to Martinsville and west to Lee County, prescription drugs were behind 75% of the overdose deaths. This is not the illegal drug culture of days past. These are friends and family members taking medicines they thought were safe because you can get them from a doctor.

Richard Stallard, head of the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force, says it is the worst he has ever seen. His task force covers Dickenson, Lee, Scott and Wise Counties and they're doing more drug-related arrests than ever before. While these arrests are certain to stop some future addicts from overdosing, someone taking prescription drugs may not be in any trouble that would get them arrested, but they're getting addicted nevertheless and they don't even know it. How are they going to know they need drug rehab when they don't even know they have a problem?

The situation is worse in some areas of Virginia than others: Southwestern Virginia accounted for 40% of the state's overall drug overdose deaths, but the area only represents 20% of the state's entire population.

Only by being aware of the potential risks are you able to prevent a situation from occurring. For someone who is already trapped in addiction, the only road out is effective drug rehab. If you suspect you might have a prescription drug problem, or know someone who has, contact a drug rehab program counselor to help you find a drug rehab in Virginia that's right for you.