By Lewis Loflin
On April 2, 2014, Buchanan County, Virginia, saw a major drug roundup, with 80 individuals arrested on charges mostly tied to prescription drug distribution, alongside three methamphetamine cases and four instances of child neglect (News Channel 11). Commonwealth’s Attorney Tamara Neo highlighted the prevalence of oxycodone and methadone, noting:
We see a lot of prescription pills...oxycontin, methadone...seem to be a big problem.
Neighboring Dickenson and Wise Counties reported additional arrests—potentially 40 and 50, respectively—though overlaps may exist, pushing the regional total past 120.
On March 26, 2014, Wise County authorities arrested 18 of 50 targeted suspects, including Brandi Baldwin, already jailed for a toddler’s 2013 death linked to drugs (Kingsport Times-News). Commonwealth’s Attorney Ron Elkins noted Baldwin faced new charges from an ongoing probe. This sweep paralleled Buchanan’s, targeting prescription drug networks across Southwest Virginia.
By mid-May 2014, CONSOL Energy cut 188 jobs at its Oakwood mine due to declining metallurgical coal demand, reducing its workforce from approximately 650 (Kingsport Times-News). Rep. Morgan Griffith blamed overseas competition and EPA policies, though coal job losses predated 2008. The ripple effect likely cost 400+ service-sector jobs, deepening economic strain in a county with a 2014 unemployment rate of 10.2% (BLS).
Buchanan County’s median household income was $28,900 in 2014 (ACS), far below Virginia’s $66,000, with poverty at 24%.
The 80 arrests included:
Arraignments began April 5, 2014, with Hurley heavily represented (e.g., Justus, Stacy families).
Past efforts like the $25 million call center in Grundy (100 jobs, ~$8/hour) and the $300 million Walmart flood project yielded limited gains (Washington Post). Critics argue redirecting such funds to drug treatment could address root causes, though uptake remains uncertain given cultural and logistical barriers.
Buchanan County’s coal industry has faced significant decline since 1990, with closures and layoffs reflecting global market shifts and exhausted reserves. Below are key events from 1990 forward:
| Event | Date | Details | Jobs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| CM Mining Closure | 1994 | Underground mine ceased production; a 2019 blowout flooded Upper Elk Creek, showing abandonment. | Unknown |
| Twin Star No. 2 Closure | Sept. 2012 | Alpha Natural Resources closed this surface mine near Hurley. | ~57 |
| CONSOL Buchanan #1 Layoffs | May 2014 | 188 laid off at Oakwood due to low metallurgical coal demand. | 188 |
| Virginia Pocahontas No. 1 Reclamation | 2014 | Idled in the 1990s under CONSOL, fully reclaimed in 2014. | Unknown |
| Coronado Buchanan #1 Furlough | Dec. 2019–Jan. 2020 | Over 600 furloughed due to trade delays and high inventories. | 600+ |
| Coronado Buchanan #1 Closure | April 2020 | Temporary COVID-19 shutdown; small crew maintained 750,000 tons of coal. | 543 |
Notes: Buchanan #1, now under Coronado Global Resources, remains active as of 2025, producing 4.4 million tons in 2021. Pre-1990 closures (e.g., Jewell Valley) are excluded.
By 2025, Buchanan County’s struggles persist. Coal jobs dwindled to under 300 countywide (VA Energy, 2024), and drug arrests remain high—over 200 in 2023 (VA State Police). Overdose deaths rose 15% since 2019 (VDH, 2023), with meth and opioids dominant. Poverty lingers at 22% (ACS, 2023), and treatment facilities are scarce, leaving residents reliant on strained local resources.
Acknowledgment: I’d like to thank Grok, an AI by xAI, for helping me draft and refine this article. The final edits and perspective are my own.
