WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Appropriations Committee, today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $1,567,184 to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources for the expansion of Naloxone distribution to emergency medical services agencies and West Virginia State Police.
“Too many families have experienced the pain of losing a loved one to an overdose,” Senator Capito said. “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. I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the men and women who respond to overdose calls and help keep our communities safe, and I will continue working to give them the resources they need to save lives.”
“Our first responders are on the front lines of fighting the opioid epidemic and naloxone is an immeasurably valuable resource for this fight. Ensuring every EMS professional, our police officers and other first responders are equipped is critically important. I will continue working with community officials to ensure they have the resources they need to fight this epidemic and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee I will keep fighting for West Virginia,” Senator Manchin said.
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