September 04, 2019

Manchin Announces $35 Million In New Funding To Fight Opioid Epidemic

In total, West Virginia has received $70 million over the last two years thanks to Senator Manchin’s effort to change how opioid funding is distributed

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced $35 million in new funding to fight the opioid epidemic from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Over the last two years, West Virginia has received $70 million in State Opioid Response grants to fight the opioid epidemic as a direct result of Senator Manchin’s work on the Senate Appropriations Committee that will ensure West Virginia receives its fair share of federal funding to fight the opioid epidemic.

“West Virginia has the highest overdose rate per capita of any state in our nation and the impacts of this epidemic can be felt in every family, every community and every corner of our state.  That’s why I fought to make sure that states like West Virginia, where mortality rates are through the roof, receive more funding. This language more than tripled the amount of funding our state has received over the last two years. West Virginia is ground zero and we need all of the funding we can get to help those struggling with substance use disorder receive treatment and help heal from this crisis. This funding will go a long way and I will continue to fight to ensure West Virginia is getting our fair share of funding to fight this epidemic,” Senator Manchin said.

Originally, much of the funding that states received to fight the opioid epidemic was based heavily on the number of overdose deaths rather than the rate of overdose deaths. Unfortunately, this disproportionally hurt states like West Virginia, which has a small population but has the highest need. Senator Manchin fought during the Appropriations process and conference committee to ensure that states that have been hit the hardest by the opioid epidemic receive more funding.