Knowledge Bank

In this paper I examine the legislation West Virginia passed to combat the opioid epidemic. I do so to understand how opioids remained so pervasive in the region despite the continual attempts made by the legislature to address the epidemic. I examine local newspapers, legislative records, marketing practices of pharmaceutical companies, and interview a state legislator. Through this investigation I find that West Virginia overly relied on national studies to shape its opioid policy and that the state failed to implement legislation which had already been proved effective in other states. This legislation was nearly passed in many cases; however, it continually came up short and the state suffered from these failings. Through this investigation I question who advocated for this legislation, and why opioid addiction began in the state.