Overdoses, alcoholism and suicide are leading causes of death for young and middle-aged workers nationwide. Appalachia and the “rustbelt” of the Midwest are among the regions worst hit by a spreading heroin epidemic. The areas hardest hit by the epidemic have been decimated by class war policies waged by the American ruling class over the last four decades.

Naomi Spencer, Socialist Equality Party candidate for the West Virginia House of Delegates (16th District) issued the following statement on the crisis.