Charleston, WV has a population of 47,129, which classifies it as a rural area. Charleston, WV has a higher percentage rate of 1.0% when speaking of opioid use than the national average of 0.7%. Opioid use is the leading substance that is abused by people of Charleston, WV with other substances falling lower than the national average. Overall, Charleston, WV, has a substance abuse percentage of 3.8% compared to the national average of 5.3%.) (U. S. Census bureau) "Opioids are the number one cause of death associated with drug overdose