Federal law enforcement leaders in Virginia announced Friday the launch of www.storiesoverstigma.com to fight back against the silent health epidemic of substance use disorder.

“Our hope is that through this website we will empower Virginians to share their buried stories of substance use disorder,” said G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

“Unfortunately, the stigma that historically accompanies this disease often silences family and friends of the deceased. Those who succumb to substance use disorder are our loved ones. They deserve to have their stories told, free from shame and without stigma,” he said.

Virginia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports that fatal drug overdose has been the leading method of unnatural death in Virginia since 2013.

“We must work together to do all we can to stem the flow of opioids in our communities and the addiction and death they can cause,” said Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for th...