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The article summarizes the results of the analysis conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to measure the prevalence of alcohol and drug use among persons killed in motor-vehicle crashes in West Virginia from 2004 and 2005. The analysis determined that the prevalence of drug use was similar to the prevalence of a blood alcohol concentration among persons killed in motor-vehicle crashes. It also suggested that drug use contributes substantially to driver impairment in West Virginia.

This article presents news from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A study by the center looked at alcohol and other drug use among the victims of fatal automobile crashes in West Virginia during 2004-2005. CDC analyzed data which determined that the prevalence of drug use was similar to the prevalence of a blood alcohol concentration around 0.08 g/dL among people killed in motor vehicle accidents in the state. Of the 784 fatalities recorded it was found that 663 had alcohol test results, 660 had drug test results and 685 had both. The findings of this report are subject to at least four limitations and cannot accurately be applied to all states.