I think the collapse of the coal mining economy was the killing blow, especially in SW W.Va. Mostly thanks to Obama’s War on Coal. Leaving little but tourism, governmental largess, and hard scrabble farming to support the state. Those who remain are a strong and proud sort, but poverty is winning. I grieve the loss and social destruction.
I totally agree. I’m not a native, but this is my home. So very sad.
I moved back to WV after almost 40 years around the world but mostly NoVA. I have to say I am astounded by the opioid numbers.
I guess the loss of theming jobs has a role but I blame the “drug intoxication” culture that grew out of the 1960s.
It’s been absorbed into our play-time as cool & the thing to do! My hometown mayor made the claim on the radio that 60% of Kanawha County residents are not hirable because they can’t pass an employment drug test.
When I came back I spent some time reconnecting with old friends. They all had a story of a direct family member - child or grandchild, nephew/grandnephew or neighbor etc. with a opioid addiction story. However none of the stories started out as “so-n-so” lost his/her job and they were so distraught they turned to alcohol drugs, opioids! Or had an industrial injury then treatment where one thing led to another then BAM addicted to opioids! In every case it was part of the youthful (even not so youthful!) partying having a good time etc.! Now this is the Charleston-Huntington area so it’s at the northern edge of the coalfields but it’s not that different plus the stories ranged through the state!