Virginia’s progress against opioid addiction is showing up in both death records and community budgets. People seeking addiction treatment in Virginia now have new evidence that expanded care can support healthier families and lower public costs.
Preventable overdose deaths fell 43% in 2024, while estimated opioid-related economic costs declined by $1.3 billion, according to an updated analysis led by Virginia Commonwealth University.
The analysis comes from the Virginia Opioid Cost Data Tool, developed by the VCU Center on Society and Health and the Virginia Department of Health. Researchers credit expanded access to evidence-based opioid care as one contributor to the improvement along with other factors.
Addiction Treatment in Virginia by the Numbers
The estimated $1.3 billion reduction is about 14 to 20 times the additional public funding directed toward opioid care. VCU describes the tool as the nation’s only platform providing an extensive localized view of the opioid crisis across multiple sectors at the city and county level.
Its findings already have practical uses for local communities. The research collaboration has helped guide more than $160 million in grant awards from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority. Communities with substantial economic need are receiving the money.
“Protecting people’s health also protects their communities’ financial resources, and that can support more healing,” said Derek Chapman, director of the VCU Center on Society and Health. He encouraged community leaders with lived experience to examine which local strategies are working.
Where Opioid-Related Costs Fell
Three areas accounted for the estimated economic improvement in 2024. Preserved earnings made up $812 million. That reflects more people’s ability to stay well, work, and support their families.
Reduced healthcare costs accounted for $369 million, including fewer emergency interventions and lower rates of co-occurring conditions such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis.
Another $115 million reflected reduced strain on Child Welfare Services and specialized K-12 educational support.
Unfortunately, not every measure improved. Earnings lost to incarceration increased by $8.4 million, and estimated public spending on opioid-related arrests and incarceration rose by $9.3 million.
Gaps in Access and Outcomes
Statewide averages obscure major differences. Overdose death rates remained highest in Central Virginia metropolitan areas and rural Southwest Virginia. Those areas also experienced the greatest economic impact per resident.
Black Virginians had the largest decline in opioid overdose deaths at 47%, but their overdose death rate remained nearly twice the rate among white Virginians.
In communities disproportionately affected by overdose deaths among Black residents, the average economic impact per resident was nearly double the state average.
Maternal and infant health also requires attention. The report counted 420 infants hospitalized with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, a 10% increase from the previous reporting period.
Parents enrolled in Medicaid and those living in rural areas were most affected. Communities with the lowest insurance rates saw smaller reductions in health-related costs.
Local Resources and Next Steps
For a suspected overdose, call 911 immediately. VCU notes that Virginia’s Safe Harbor law provides affirmative defense protections for people who call 911 or seek medical help during an overdose. People dealing with emotional distress, grief or loss can call or text 988 at any time.
You can also search drug rehabs in Virginia on Addictions.com to compare addiction treatment options. Call
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to discuss local treatment resources.