Manchin, Capito Announce More Than $1.5 Million Naxolone Access Expansion

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTRF) - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D - WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R - WV) announced Tuesday that the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will receive $1,567,184 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

This funding will expand naloxone distribution to first responders in the Mountain State, including EMS agencies and the West Virginia State Police. 

"Our first responders are on the front lines of fighting the opioid epidemic and naloxone is an immeasurably valuable resource for this fight," said Sen. Manchin. "Insuring every EMS professional, our police officers and other first responders are equipped is critically important." 

Both Manchin and Capito are members of the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

"Too many families have experienced the pain of losing a loved one to an overdose," said Senator Capito. "Equipping our first responders with lifesaving tools like naloxone can help spare innumerable West Virginians from losing a child, parent, spouse, sibling or friend to addiction, and it can give those struggling with addiction the chance to enter into recovery."