Federal prosecutors say Griggs, known as “Benz” or “Ben,” admitted supplying heroin to all 26 people, who overdosed immediately after taking the drugs. Last year, the federal agency warned that illegal use of carfentanil is becoming more common and has been linked to a significant number of overdose deaths in the country. West Virginia has the highest rate of overdose deaths in the country. In 2014, 627 drug-related deaths — or 36 for every 100,000 people — were reported in the state, according to the CDC. In Huntington, a small city of about 49,000 people, deaths from drug overdoses are nearly 10 times the national average.

Source: Washington Post January 12, 2017 11:36 UTC