Hospital discharges for patients diagnosed with drug-use disorders leveled off in 2024 compared to the previous year but remain elevated compared to the pre-COVID era, according to data released by the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. Discharges numbered 64,460 last year, up marginally from 64,248 the previous year. In 2020 the number was 57,997.

The Richmond metro area was ground zero for the drug plague. The City of Richmond led the list, accounting for 6.9% of total discharges. Henrico County (4.5%) was No. 3, and Chesterfield County (4.1%) No. 6. Fairfax County (5.6%), the most populous locality in Virginia by far, recorded the second largest number of discharges.

An evaluation of other clinical conditions in the patient population showed that “mental diseases and disorders” accounted for 27% of all drug-related discharges, followed by alcohol or drug use (21.3%), stated the VHHA press release. — JAB