Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced West Virginia is eligible to receive an estimated $43 million through the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program. The funding would come through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

“West Virginia has the highest overdose death rate per capita in the nation and every West Virginian knows someone who has been affected by the opioid epidemic that has ravaged our state. I am glad to see SAMHSA investing in our communities to help expand our opioid response workforce and services and I look forward to seeing the impacts of these programs on our entire state. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight for West Virginia to receive the funding we need to combat the opioid epidemic facing our state and nation,” said Senator Manchin.

“Our efforts must never waiver when it comes to the substance abuse epidemic,” said Senator Capito. “With opioid overdose deaths down in West Virginia this past year, it is even more critical that we build on this momentum to provide the resources to help continue, expand, and strengthen our efforts to curb this epidemic. These resources are a critical component to support those suffering from addiction. Especially during the challenging and uncertain times like these, we must be there for our communities and our neighbors.”

West Virginia has benefitted from this program in recent years, receiving $42 million in 2019. More information can be found HERE.

BACKGROUND:

SOR provides funding to states across the country to develop tailored approaches to prevention, treatment, and recovery from opioid use disorders. The program provides access to lifesaving, evidence-based medication to treat opioid use disorders, along with psychosocial services and community supports.

The program also has updated language that will allow grantees to also use the funds to address stimulant-related challenges that are affecting states and communities across the nation.