In Around West Virginia: the state's graduation rate continues to improve, the cost of naloxone may be prohibitive for the uninsured, a board is established to work on veterans' issues, and more.
n West Virginia's high school graduation rate exceeds the national average, and has steadily improved over the last several years, The Register-Herald reports. The state's graduation rate has increased from 81.4 percent in the 2012-2013 school year to 86.5 percent in the 2014-2015 year, according to the report, "Gauging Progress, Accelerating Pace," from the Southern Regional Education Board. Education officials pointed to a recently implemented warning system that alerts county administrators when a student is at risk of dropping out. The state also now requires that students must be 17 to drop out, instead of 16.
n The cost of naloxone may be deterring some people from purchasing the life-saving drug, The Register-Herald reports. Naloxone reverses the effects of an opiate overdose. A reporter spoke to pharmacists in Raleigh County and found the drug price for those without insurance ranged from $150 for a nasal spray at one pharmacy to $237 for the injectable version at another pharmacy. Patients with Medicaid, however, are able to obtain the medication at no cost.
n Martinsburg community leaders and representatives from veterans' organization have created a board to address veterans' issues in the area, The Journal reports. Members first met last month and are still working on establishing a name and by-laws.
n A former West Virginia University student is suing over the school's response to her assault, The Dominion Post reports. According to the lawsuit, her attacker, Nathan Nkwaya, was indicted on two counts of second-degree sexual assault, then pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint and battery earlier this year. But the WVU Student Conduct Board found him "not responsible" for sexual misconduct, and he was allowed to remain at WVU. The victim said she ended up withdrawing from school after repeatedly having to face her attacker.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.