CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Darrell V. McGraw Jr., a prominent former attorney general of West Virginia and state Supreme Court justice who played a significant role in challenging the state’s drug overdose epidemic, passed away on Saturday at the age of 88.
According to Jared Hunt, a spokesperson for the state Supreme Court, McGraw succumbed to a heart attack.
The West Virginia Democratic Party lauded McGraw as “a tireless advocate for justice, fairness, and the people of our great state.” They released a statement emphasizing that his legacy of service would not be forgotten and that his dedication to public service would inspire future generations.
A member of the Democratic Party, McGraw began his significant career in public office when he won a 12-year seat on the Supreme Court in 1976. He was elected attorney general in 1992 and subsequently re-elected four times before losing to Republican Patrick Morrisey in 2012. McGraw made an unsuccessful attempt to reclaim his seat on the Supreme Court in 2016.
Morrisey expressed his condolences on a social media platform, sending prayers and sympathies to McGraw’s family and friends.
In 2001, McGraw took a bold stand against Purdue Pharma, accusing the company of misleadingly marketing the prescription painkiller OxyContin in West Virginia. This led to a $10 million settlement reached in 2004. Following this, he pursued legal action against pharmaceutical companies due to the overwhelming supply of prescription painkillers plaguing southern West Virginia. After his tenure, the state achieved settlements of $20 million with Cardinal Health Inc. and $16 million with AmerisourceBergen Drug Co.
Additionally, a company from Georgia that McGraw had accused of providing ingredients for drugs known as bath salts and synthetic marijuana consented to refrain from selling or advertising their products in the state.
The drug overdose crisis has resulted in over 1 million fatalities across the United States since 1999, with West Virginia consistently recording the highest overdose death rate in the nation.
McGraw’s efforts were not limited to drug-related issues; he also made substantial contributions to consumer protection and antitrust law. His office targeted direct mail marketers, credit card companies, alternative lenders, and more with lawsuits. Notably, in 1998, he was part of a national settlement involving major cigarette manufacturers as West Virginia continues to grapple with having the highest adult smoking rate in the country.
Born on November 8, 1936, in Wyoming County, McGraw joined the Army as a teenager before pursuing higher education at West Virginia University, where he served as student body president and obtained both his bachelor’s and law degrees.
His career included roles as counsel to the state legislature and Governor Hulett Smith prior to his election to the Supreme Court.
McGraw is survived by his wife, Jorea Marple, a former state schools superintendent, and their four children. His brother, former state Supreme Court Justice Warren McGraw, passed away last year.
