As per a new report by the nonprofit groups Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, West Virginia has the highest rate of overdose deaths in America.

From 2011-13, around 34 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 West Virginia residents were reported. The number is up from 22 deaths per 100,000 people in 2007-09.

As per data from the CDC, second in the list is New Mexico, at 28.2 deaths per 100, 000. The national average was 13.4. U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin in Charleston said that rather than being shocked, he is disappointed as he is aware of the root cause of the problem.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, West Virginia's state health officer, said there could be different reasons, but it would not be wrong to say that they are intertwined. Reasons include region’s history of poor education, the isolation of people and communities in mountainous terrain. Certain areas have limited substance abuse programs.

Dr. Gupta said that drug use, mental health and physical health, all factors go hand-in-hand. In last five years, West Virginia has witnessed 3,000 drug overdose deaths. This year, there were at least 32 overdose deaths and 360 drug overdoses in Cabell County alone.

Police has taken steps to cut the supply of illegal drugs. But it seems that more steps need to be taken to curb the problem. Experts said that West Virginia’s drug problems could be considered as a national trend.