WV, Ohio Get $6.7M for Opioid Abuse Fight

HUNTINGTON — More than $6.7 million in federal funding will make its way to West Virginia and Ohio in an attempt to improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services in health centers, with a specific focus on treatment of opioid use disorders in under-served populations.

Huntington-based Valley Health Systems, Inc. is among five community health centers in the state that will share in $1,771,187 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources. With that money, their goal is to increase patient screening, education and access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use and other substance abuse disorder treatments.

Valley Health will receive the largest piece of West Virginia's $1.7 million pie, with $406,250 set to go to the center.

The Ironton Lawrence County Community Action Organization is also getting $406,250, an award higher than what any other Ohio health providers received, according to the office of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. The state of Ohio is awarding more than $5 million to 15 Ohio health providers to expand substance abuse services. In total, HHR officials awarded $94 million throughout the United States, which is projected to be used to hire approximately 800 medical professionals to dispense the medications to an estimated 124,000 patients.

"The opioid epidemic is one of the most pressing public health issues in the United States today," said Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. "Expanding access to medication-assisted treatment and integrating these services in health centers bolsters nationwide efforts to curb opioid misuse and abuse, supports approximately 124,000 new patients accessing substance use treatment for recovery and helps save lives."

In addition to Valley Health, Womencare, Inc., in Scott Depot will receive $325,500 from West Virginia's allocation.

Elsewhere in the state, Cabin Creek Health Systems, Inc., in Kanawha County will receive $317,650, Change, Incorporated, in Weirton will receive $370,204 and Community Care of West Virginia, Inc., in Rock Cave will receive $352,083.

The Ironton Lawrence County Community Action Organization has six Family Medical Centers in Lawrence County, and its executive director D.R. Gossett said the money will be used to integrate substance abuse services with family care.

"We're in the best position to offer this model," he said. The Family Medical Centers ask a long list of questions including family history and personal habits. "It's discreet. It's kind of a new concept," he said. "We'll use a respectful, non-prejudicial approach."

The Family Medical Centers have staff to deal with substance abuse problems.

"We won't have to refer them," Gossett said. "We have behaviorists including social workers, case managers and psychiatrists on site. They're all part of a team."

"If we do well, it'll probably be ongoing funding," Gossett said. "This will allow us to leverage more than $1 million in staff time."

Medications used to treat opioid addiction include buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone and, in the case of opioid overdose, naloxone, often referred to by its brand name, Narcan.

Approximately 4.5 million people in the United States were non-medical prescription pain reliever users in 2013, and an estimated 289,000 were current heroin users. HHS also estimates the number of unintentional overdose deaths from prescription pain medications has nearly quadrupled from 1999 to 2013, and deaths related to heroin increased 39 percent between 2012 and 2013.

In 2014, West Virginia had the highest rate of drug overdose deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control, with New Mexico, New Hampshire, Kentucky and Ohio rounding out the top five.

The CDC reported opioids - primarily prescription pain relievers and heroin - are the main driver of overdose death and were involved in 28,647 deaths in 2014.

Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said the money would be used in the ongoing effort to help West Virginians suffering through substance abuse to get the help they need.

"Expanding treatment options for those struggling with addiction is one of the biggest challenges we face in the fight for a drug-free West Virginia," Capito said. "Community health centers serve one in five West Virginians and could see an influx of patients because of the drug epidemic. I have and will continue to ensure that West Virginia receives the resources it needs to combat the devastating drug epidemic."

Manchin said the funding would ensure that health centers have the necessary tools and resources to better address the substance abuse treatment needs within their communities.

"The opioid epidemic has ravaged our state and it is critical we improve and expand services in West Virginia to effectively treat and address opioid addiction," Manchin said. "We must continue to do everything in our power to stem the tide of substance abuse and this funding is crucial in our fight."

U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins noted in a release that health centers "fill a critical gap in health care in southern West Virginia."

Steve Shattls, Valley Health's executive director and chief executive officer, said the grant will make a meaningful difference in fighting the drug epidemic.

Research demonstrates that a whole-patient approach to treatment through a combination of medication and counseling and behavioral therapies, is most successful in treating opioid use disorders, Burwell said in a conversation with media Friday.

In 2014, over 1.3 million people received behavioral health services at health centers, a 75 percent increase since 2008. This funding builds upon and leverages previous investments by providing support to health centers.