BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) - West Virginia recently reached a milestone in the long fight against drugs.

Last week, Governor Patrick Morrisey announced the state leads the nation in reducing overdose deaths. This includes a substantial reduction in opioid and specifically fentanyl-related deaths.

This is good news for Angela Richmond, a family nurse practitioner provider in Beckley with Lifeline Addiction Specialists.

She said outreach and community support have been big in the fight against drug abuse.

It's very awarding to see someone come in during active addiction, feeling sick and awful. Maybe even homeless, they may not be working. Then you give them about three months and if they're ready and doing well, you'll see them change."

For others, the fight for change is not just rewarding -

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