CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey announced action to dramatically increase the share of future opioid-related settlements that will go directly to the State and local governments, allowing communities most impacted by the opioid crisis to decide how those funds should be used.
The distribution of funds from prior settlements is governed by the “West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding,” which directed 70% of all opioid settlements to the West Virginia First Foundation. The Foundation, which has already begun spending the more than $700 million it will receive from the earlier settlements, now has the necessary resources to fulfill its important mission.
Now is the time to allow the State and local government to do the same.
Moving forward, recoveries obtained by the State will be allocated and utilized by the Legislature, and recoveries obtained by local governments will be allocated and utilized by mayors and county commissioners. As a result of the Attorney General’s actions, the share of these recoveries paid to third parties and for attorneys’ fees will be reduced.
“We have made significant progress in the fight against opioid addiction in West Virginia — a testament to the great work of my predecessor, Governor Morissey, his team, and all of the men and women across the State who have committed their lives to solving this crisis and guaranteeing that West Virginia’s best days are ahead. As my team continues to aggressively pursue all who contributed to this crisis, I want to ensure that everyone fighting alongside of us has the money to achieve their objectives,” Attorney General McCuskey said. “As the former State Auditor and a former legislator, I have worked with both the legislature and our local governments and am confident that they know best what their communities need. I am excited to see the thoughtful and effective ways that my friends in both local governments and the Legislature use this increased funding to better the lives of their constituents.”
