The Cost of Addiction: An Economic Burden for West Virginia
In 2008, West Virginia had the highest rate of deaths related to prescription drug overdoses in the United States. The Mountain State and the surrounding region have led national trends concerning prescription drug abuse and misuse, and while the physical and mental aspects have been devastating, prescription drugs are costing more than lives. The economic burden incurred by West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky due to the criminal justice costs, loss in worker productivity and treatment totals $2.72 billion annually. Nationally, the loss of productivity, premature death, unemployment and incarcerated individuals comes at a price tag of $42 billion every year.
The Four Seasons: West Virginia State Parks
Travelers who seek recreation destinations in West Virginia have a library of locations from which to choose, some of the best of which are state parks.
High-Five: Historic Wedding Venues
The wedding day is one of the most important chapters in a couple’s history, and in West Virginia, there are several wedding venues that highlight histories beyond ceremonies and receptions.
Young Guns 2015
West Virginia’s people are consistently recognized as one of the unique assets of the Mountain State. Each year, we dedicate our fall issue to celebrating West Virginians by naming a select group of outstanding business professionals as Young Guns.
NASA Leading the Way: Educating, Experimenting and Exploring
Upon hearing NASA, the acronym for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, most people immediately think of the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts and probably Tom Hanks’ role in the movie “Apollo 13.” While those are all fair interpretations, it is important to understand that NASA is so much more than rockets and movie sets. In addition to space exploration and research, one of NASA’s main points of interest is education, and the organization offers educational opportunities that begin with children in grade school and continue through high school and college.
West Virginia: The State of 3-D Printing
Looking at the current state of 3-D printing makes science fiction almost relatable. Who wouldn’t want an ice cream sundae on demand via a food replicator like those used in “Star Trek?” While it’s not quite a reality yet, a Barcelona-based research group, aptly named Robots in Gastronomy, already uses cream cheese, cake dough, eggs, pasta, honey and fruit or vegetable puree to print culinary creations—and they recently added ice cream to the list.