Community leaders gather in South Charleston as HIV and Hep. C rise among opioid users

Community leaders gathered in South Charleston Wednesday evening following a recent spike in HIV and Hepatitis C within opioid users in the state.

The increase comes after West Virginia Department of Health preliminary data showed opioid overdose-related deaths decreased this year.

Dr. Stephen Loyd, the West Virginia director of the office on drug control policy, said part of the problem was clinics and prevention services miss around 20% of HIV and 40% of Hepatitis C cases.

"This is an opportunity for us to have a conversation about the impact of what we call the 'syndemic' HIV, viral hepatitis, substance use disorder in the region. But most importantly, how we can figure out some of the strategies to get folks back to work," Community Education Group executive director Toni Young said.

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