Substance Abuse Costs WV's Welfare System More Than $95 Million

The financial impact of drug and alcohol abuse on West Virginia’s welfare sector is more than $95 million, according to the latest report from the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being and the WV Prevention Resource Center (WVPRC). The welfare system includes programs providing income support and other social services to WV children and families.

Yetty Shobo, WVPRC Evaluation Specialist and author of the report, projects substance abuse could cost West Virginia’s welfare system more than $300 million by 2017 if current trends persist and intervention does not occur.

To view full report click here or go to www.prevnet.org.