WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced that the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources will receive $318,194 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control for enhanced state surveillance of opioid-involved overdoses.
“This funding is coming at a critical time, as the number of drug overdoses continues to skyrocket. Just last week, 28 overdoses occurred within a matter of hours in Huntington. In order to stem this crisis, we must have the best data to effectively direct our efforts and resources. This grant will help save lives and get us closer to achieving a drug-free West Virginia,” said Senator Capito.
“Prescription drug abuse has taken a particularly devastating toll on communities throughout West Virginia and I have made stopping this crisis one of my top priorities as your Senator,” Senator Manchin said. “This funding will support the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources in their efforts to put an end to the devastating epidemic. I am determined to do everything possible to help create drug-free and safe communities so all West Virginians can live up to their full potential.”
Funding for this grant was made available to states with a high burden of drug overdoses in order to improve the timeliness of fatal and nonfatal opioid overdose surveillance, including overdoses from prescription opioids and heroin. Funding recipients are required to increase the timeliness of overdose reporting and must share findings with key stakeholders working to prevent or respond to drug overdoses.
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