The opioid crisis has led to a significant increase in the number of children being raised by their grandparents in West Virginia, with around 70% of kids in Lincoln County affected. Grandparents like Felicia Cook and Kim Tomblin are stepping in to care for their grandchildren due to their parents' addiction to opioids.
In the hills of rural West Virginia, a growing number of children are now being raised by their grandparents. The FP’s @Olivia_Reingold and photographer Andrew Spear meet the unsung heroes of the U.S. opioid crisis: (1/6) 🧵 https://t.co/c8JvZoyCTj https://t.co/r0zmH8iU4a
“I blame OxyContin.” Kim Tomblin is raising two of her grandchildren in Hamlin, West Virginia, after her daughter got hooked on pills. She says the opioid epidemic has destroyed this once-idyllic town: “People don’t trust people anymore. It’s like the innocence is gone… the… https://t.co/piEdSfydL9
Felicia Cook is a 60-year-old in West Virginia, who—like many others in her community—suddenly found herself raising two grandchildren following her daughter’s battle with addiction. “It’s been me by myself, just trying to do the best I can. Keep them safe, give them an… https://t.co/c5DayBCveS
Many of the largest companies that profited from the opioid crisis have never admitted wrongdoing. But visit Lincoln County, West Virginia, and you’ll see what they’ve done to our country—about 70% of kids there are being raised by their grandparents. https://t.co/17UDgWJfcU
“These grandfamilies love their grandkids so much they’re going to take care of them regardless of what it takes physically, mentally, financially. Even if it’s the last dime they have.” @Olivia_Reingold meets the unsung heroes of the U.S. opioid crisis: https://t.co/c8JvZoyCTj
In a sleepy part of West Virginia, the majority of children are now being raised by their grandparents. @Olivia_Reingold recently spent a week there. When Opioids Steal Your Parents: https://t.co/rs4DYmIiJx
"Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery." https://t.co/sIe5qexDNl