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NEWS
Overdoses kill more than wrecks in W.Va.
CHARLESTON -- The state Health Statistics Center says more West Virginians died of drug overdoses and other poisonings two years ago than in traffic accidents.
The most recent statistics available show that 478 people across the state died of poisoning in 2007 compared to 431 who died in traffic accidents.
Most fatal poisonings involved illegal and prescription drug overdoses. A few were caused by such poisons as exhaust fumes and household cleaners.
The center says the number of deaths has been climbing since 1999, when 91 West Virginians were poisoned.
Nationally, the number of overdose deaths grew from about 11,000 in 1999 to 22,000 in 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available.
