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W.Va. AG discusses opioid funds distribution

By Brett Dunlap 4 min read

PARKERSBURG -- West Virginia will be building on money received from opioid lawsuit settlements in building long-term resources to deal with the state's drug abuse epidemic, the state attorney general told local officials in Parkersburg on Tuesday.

Morrisey met with over 20 people at the Judge Black Annex to discuss developments in his office as well as efforts to combat drug abuse, including the new West Virginia First Foundation, a nonprofit foundation tasked with distributing three-quarters of the state's more than $1 billion in opioid settlement funds.

Those in attendance included Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce, Wood County Commissioner Blair Couch, Wood County Sheriff Rick Woodyard, Wood County Prosecutor Pat Lefebure, Delegate Scot Heckert (R-Wood) as well as health officials and others from throughout the community.

Morrisey outlined work against federal regulations being passed by the Biden administration that Morrisey feels will end up hurting West Virginia in terms of energy (coal and natural gas) jobs being put at risk as well as a push to go to electric vehicles in a short time before anyone is prepared for it and would impact the state badly.

"We are pushing back on those," he said.

The state is also seeing a massive influx of fentanyl. He said federal officials are failing in dealing with the problem at the Mexican border. He wants the executive branch to declare fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

"We are seeing more destructive drugs and more potent than fentanyl," Morrisey said. "We need to educate people that the challenges are still in front of us."

On the West Virginia First Foundation, appointments have been voted on and made. Joyce was elected to represent this region. Morrisey expects court action on Friday that could begin the process of releasing the money from the settlement administrator. The money is currently collecting interest.

Morrisey said his office will be presenting a candidate soon to be the executive director of the foundation.

Others talked about how money is not available for certain programs when people are paroled and are likely to begin abusing drugs again.

Malcolm Lanham, Community Health Director for the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, said since Friday there were seven drug overdoses in Parkersburg with three that were fatal and five that were fentanyl-related.

"A couple weeks ago, Roane County had three overdoses in 24 hours (two fentanyl- related)," he said. "(Although it isn't the numbers seen in more populated areas) three overdoses in 24 hours is a big deal, in a rural county."

Lefebure and others said they need renewed efforts to get back in schools and teach about the dangers of drug abuse and engage with students at a young age before they are faced with these issues.

Morrisey said the Foundation is looking to build up resources for the long haul and make sure they are properly managed.

"You shouldn't view it as something in slow decline, paying out dollars," he said. "It is something that can be better leveraged to address the really tough problems facing West Virginia."

People brought up money brought in from tobacco settlements that ran out and programs that ended up going away as a result. Others talked about how politics influenced where money has been spent

Dealing with drug abuse issues helps the available workforce and makes the state more attractive for investment and job growth, Morrisey said.

There will be strategic investment of the lawsuit money with the Foundation guiding how the money is spent, but making sure money is being built up to keep the focus on dealing with the drug abuse issues.

"It will be built for the long-term in West Virginia," Morrisey said. "We want to make sure the money gets to where it can help."

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