WASHINGTON, D.C. —The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced West Virginia will receive $43,756,934 as part of its State Opioid Response (SOR) grants program. The funds will be used for prevention and treatment efforts in communities throughout the Mountain State.
“The opioid epidemic has decimated communities across the country, especially here in West Virginia,” said McKinley. “Over the last several years we’ve heard constantly from medical professionals, law enforcement, and others on the front lines of this crisis that we need more resources for treatment and prevention. I have worked to target federal resources to states that are particularly hard hit. As a result, West Virginia has seen a seven-fold increase. These funds will help provide vital support to those struggling with addiction and help our efforts in fighting the opioid epidemic.”
Background:
McKinley has been a leading advocate for increasing funding as well as attracting more research money to West Virginia. West Virginia has seen a seven-fold increase in the amount of federal funding to fight the opioid crisis.
Thanks to his work, West Virginia has received a seven-fold increase in grant funding targeting the opioid crisis.
McKinley has brought the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to Morgantown to hold a grant workshop.
More than 150 people from all 20 counties in the First District attended.
Thanks to McKinley, after leading a delegation letter to the Apportions Committee urging them to include 15% of SAMHSA’s State Opioid Respond Grants are set aside for states with the highest opioid mortality rate, it’s been included in government funding bills for several years.