A new analysis by Avalere Health puts a staggering number on something we see every day: the economic and human toll of untreated opioid use disorder (OUD). Across the U.S., the cost is nearly $700,000 per person, per year, and Virginia is no exception.

In 2021 alone, the opioid crisis cost the Commonwealth over $5 billion, with households, state programs, and local systems carrying the weight. But there’s another side to the story—one that brings hope and strategy.

Buprenorphine works. It’s not just clinically effective—it’s cost-effective. Treating even one person with buprenorphine can save up to $270,000 annually by reducing emergency visits, justice system involvement, and lost productivity.

At SaVida Health, we see that impact every day.

The Reality in Virginia

Opioid use disorder doesn’t just affect individuals—it impacts entire families, economies, and health systems.

• $2.68 billion of Virginia’s 2021 OUD cost fell on households, including lost income and private healthcare costs
• $1.65 billion came from state and local governments, much of it tied to Medicaid and public safety
• And Richmond alone shouldered $408 million, or nearly $1,800 per resident

Those numbers aren’t just data points. They represent lost loved ones, overburdened emergency rooms, and community workers stretched too thin.

Treatment Saves More Than Lives; It Saves Systems

Despite these costs, only 1 in 4 adults with OUD receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT). That’s not a gap—it’s a crisis of access.

Buprenorphine is one of the most proven tools we have. It reduces overdose risk, eases withdrawal, and helps people stay in recovery. It’s also an investment. Each patient who receives treatment translates into less strain on public health, fewer ER visits, and a stronger, more stable workforce.

SaVida Health has long prioritized buprenorphine access, especially in underserved areas where that access can be the difference between life and loss.

Recent Progress and a Warning Sign

Virginia made headlines in 2024 for recording the second-largest drop in overdose deaths nationwide. Fentanyl-related deaths dropped by 44%, thanks in part to Narcan and test strip distribution.

That’s progress, but it’s fragile.

Any cuts to public health funding or overdose prevention programs could roll back those gains. We need to protect what’s working and push for more.

What Virginia Can and Should Do Next

SaVida Health supports a more thoughtful, more scalable response to the opioid crisis. We believe Virginia should:

• Invest in buprenorphine-based treatment and remove regulatory and stigma-related barriers
• Expand care access in rural and underserved areas
• Fund education and support for families, providers, and frontline partners
• Protect and distribute harm-reduction tools like naloxone and test strips

We’re Ready to Help Virginia Turn the Tide

The opioid crisis isn’t abstract to us—it’s real, urgent, and deeply personal. But the solution is clear: compassionate, evidence-based treatment saves lives and public dollars.

If you’re working with someone who needs help, or you’re a provider looking for a referral partner, SaVida is here.

Call us: (413) 333-5602
Visit: www.savidahealth.com/locations

Treating opioid addiction is not just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do. Let’s stop absorbing the cost of inaction and start scaling what works.