Oct. 13, 2005
 
OLD DOMINION NEWS: Virginia General Services Honored; VA, WV Governors Seek Energy Assistance Funding; VA Releases Violent Death Report
 
By William Paine
Bluefield News Network Writer
 
Richmond, Va (BNN) -- The Virginia Department of General Services received the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award for 2005 for innovation and professionalism in the operation of state government. The national Procurement Institute established the award in 1995. The other states honored were Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Michigan.
 
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On Sept. 28, 2005, Virginia Governor Mark Warner joined 27 other governors -- including West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin -- in signing a joint letter to the leadership of Congress asking for additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Governor Warner has directed several state agencies to develop a plan by Nov. 1 to address anticipated increases in winter heating costs for Virginia consumers and state agencies.
 
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According to the National Violent Death Reporting System, out of the 1,332 violent deaths in Virginia 2003, 60 percent were suicides while 33 percent were from homicides. One percent of the violent deaths in Virginia were as a result of unintentional firearm injury. This system reports deaths in 17 states with the goal of finding ways to reduce the number of violent deaths.
 
Of the nearly 800 suicides committed in Virginia in 2003: Three out of four were males.
 
Statistically whites were more at risk for suicide and blacks were more at risk for homicide.
 
Suicide rates were highest among males over age 65 and especially high among males 85 and older.
 
One in four suicide victims were veterans of the armed forces.
 
The report is to be used as a tool to reduce premature deaths in the future.
 
Among those who committed suicide in 2003:
 
Thirty-nine percent wre receiving mental health treatment at the time of their death.
 
Twenty-four percent had disclosed their intent to commit suicide to someone else.