RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A new report shows the monetary cost of the opioid epidemic in Virginia was more than $5 billion in 2021.
Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center on Society and Health and the Virginia Department of Health developed a opioid cost calculator in late 2022.
Using the calculator, as well as data collected in 2020 by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was determined that, in 2021, nearly 150,000 Virginians had an opioid use disorder and an average of more than 6 Virginians died of an opioid overdose per day.
Data also revealed the overall cost of the epidemic in Virginia 2021 was more than $5 billion, which is about $588 for each person living in the Commonwealth.
“There are a lot of people out there playing Russian roulette, and the stats are that every one of us knows somebody or loves somebody that struggles with this disease, but it is costing our nation a fortune,” said Kerri Rhodes, the Director of Behavior and Mental Health at Chesterfield County Jail.
Rhodes’ son, Taylor, died from a fentanyl overdose in 2019. Since then, she’s been helping lead the county’s Helping Addicts Recover Progressively (HARP) program.
“I think that we’re only going to spend more, if we don’t start really looking at what we’re spending our money on,” said Rhodes. “We’re getting a bang for our buck, but I think every jail should have a HARP. They should have a treatment program to help people.”
The addiction recovery program is helping people like Travis Waddell, who’s been incarcerated since May 2023. He said he started drinking alcohol at the age of 14 and has never had access to a resource like HARP.
“Through the program, I learned that I do need help. It’s okay to ask for help,” he said. “Our circle out there is sacred. We’ve got guys coming through the door that are beaten down and broken, and they’re ready for a change.”
Waddell has since been chosen by his peers to be a mentor for the program.
“It’s changed my life. It changed the life of my family and anyone else along the way, and I’m so grateful for it,” he added. “If there are any doubters out there, this program works.”
More information about HARP can be found here.
