Southern West Virginians are at high risk for contracting HIV and
Hepatitis C, according to a study from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
The study identified Fayette, Monroe, Raleigh and Wyoming counties as ranking in the top 50 at-risk counties in the nation for the two diseases due to the amount of intravenous drug use (such as heroin) that takes place here.
According to the Wall Street Journal’s review of the CDC report, McDowell County is the second-most vulnerable county. In total, West Virginia has 28 counties on the list of 220, including Boone, Hancock, Logan, Mingo and Morgan.
Raleigh County was positioned 18th on the list, but local officials say the drug crisis and its side-effects are frequently on their minds.
“It affects every facet of everyday life,” Beckley Mayor Bill O’Brien said. “It’s almost overwhelming to realize how bad the drug problem is, especially in this area.
“People have lost jobs and they’re desperate. People get into drugs to cope and then they have to find ways to continue to support their habit.”
Some cities, like Huntington, have seen success from its needle-exchange program. People can drop off used needles at certain locations and receive a clean needle in return. This is supposed to keep the amount of fluid-borne illnesses down and officials say it’s working because people are using it.
Mayor O’Brien said he is a little on the fence about supporting such a program in Beckley.
“Huntington had such a huge problem that they had to do something like that,” he said. “It’s worked for them. I know our drug problem is growing, there’s no doubt about that, but I don’t think we’re at the level that we need something like that just yet.”
To ensure the local problem doesn't escalate to level in Huntington, locals have taken.
“Huntington had such a problem with not having enough police on their police force,” O’Brien said. “The word got out to to the drug community that the police force was weakened in Huntington and they went there.
“We’ve fully staffed our police department and hopefully that will
help some. The word will get out that Beckley isn’t a good place to come
to if you want to engage in the drug trade.”
There are other ways to keep safe.
“Don’t have unprotected sex,” Beckley-Raleigh County Health Department Nurse Director Candance Hurd said. “The chances of spreading the disease that way is low, but it’s still a risk. Don’t share needles with anyone, whether you think they’re clean or not.
“If you have ever shared needles with someone, get yourself tested for hepatitis and HIV. We do testing at the Health Department for these illnesses.”
If you have had unprotected sex or shared needles with someone, you may think that you’re fine because you feel fine.
“Many people who have Hepatitis C have no symptoms and feel well,” according to a pamphlet from the CDC. “The only way to tell if you have been infected is to have a blood test. About 4 million Americans have been infected with Hepatitis C and most don’t know it.
“Whether you feel sick or not, you should have a blood test for hepatitis C.”
The Beckley-Raleigh County Health Department is at 1602 Harper Road in Beckley.
The study identified Fayette, Monroe, Raleigh and Wyoming counties as ranking in the top 50 at-risk counties in the nation for the two diseases due to the amount of intravenous drug use (such as heroin) that takes place here.
According to the Wall Street Journal’s review of the CDC report, McDowell County is the second-most vulnerable county. In total, West Virginia has 28 counties on the list of 220, including Boone, Hancock, Logan, Mingo and Morgan.
Raleigh County was positioned 18th on the list, but local officials say the drug crisis and its side-effects are frequently on their minds.
“It affects every facet of everyday life,” Beckley Mayor Bill O’Brien said. “It’s almost overwhelming to realize how bad the drug problem is, especially in this area.
“People have lost jobs and they’re desperate. People get into drugs to cope and then they have to find ways to continue to support their habit.”
Some cities, like Huntington, have seen success from its needle-exchange program. People can drop off used needles at certain locations and receive a clean needle in return. This is supposed to keep the amount of fluid-borne illnesses down and officials say it’s working because people are using it.
Mayor O’Brien said he is a little on the fence about supporting such a program in Beckley.
“Huntington had such a huge problem that they had to do something like that,” he said. “It’s worked for them. I know our drug problem is growing, there’s no doubt about that, but I don’t think we’re at the level that we need something like that just yet.”
To ensure the local problem doesn't escalate to level in Huntington, locals have taken.
“Huntington had such a problem with not having enough police on their police force,” O’Brien said. “The word got out to to the drug community that the police force was weakened in Huntington and they went there.
There are other ways to keep safe.
“Don’t have unprotected sex,” Beckley-Raleigh County Health Department Nurse Director Candance Hurd said. “The chances of spreading the disease that way is low, but it’s still a risk. Don’t share needles with anyone, whether you think they’re clean or not.
“If you have ever shared needles with someone, get yourself tested for hepatitis and HIV. We do testing at the Health Department for these illnesses.”
If you have had unprotected sex or shared needles with someone, you may think that you’re fine because you feel fine.
“Many people who have Hepatitis C have no symptoms and feel well,” according to a pamphlet from the CDC. “The only way to tell if you have been infected is to have a blood test. About 4 million Americans have been infected with Hepatitis C and most don’t know it.
“Whether you feel sick or not, you should have a blood test for hepatitis C.”
The Beckley-Raleigh County Health Department is at 1602 Harper Road in Beckley.
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