September 02, 2020

Manchin, Capito Announce $700,000 For Opioid Addiction Relief In West Virginia

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $700,000 in funding for opioid and illicit drug addiction relief for two locations in West Virginia. This funding was made available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Rural Communities Opioid Response and Mental Health & Substance Abuse Service grant programs.

“West Virginia was facing a drug epidemic long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and facing two crises at the same time has been difficult for many West Virginians. Our friends, neighbors, and family need help to manage their substance use disorder and this funding will help West Virginians do just that. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues I will keep fighting in Washington for funding that will help West Virginians combat the drug epidemic and support their fellow West Virginians in their time of need,” said Senator Manchin.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced how important it is to be there for those struggling with drug addiction and abuse,” said Senator Capito. “Now more than ever, we must direct resources to curb the devastating impact that the opioid epidemic has caused in our communities. As future pandemic relief is negotiated, I made certain that increased substance abuse in West Virginia is addressed. That is why I recently introduced an amendment that provides funds for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Programs like SAMHSA have been instrumental in helping to combat the addiction crisis and must be fully funded as we continue to battle the challenges created by COVID-19.”  

Individual awards listed below:

·        Mental Health & Substance Abuse Service Grant Program: Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Inc. (Huntington) – $500,000

·        Rural Communities Opioid Response Program: Williamson Health & Wellness Center, Inc. (Williamson) – $200,000