ELKINS – The state of West Virginia has begun distributing checks from a fund created by the settlement of opioid lawsuits in the state. 

The Randolph County Commission told The Inter-Mountain that it recently received its share of the close to $73.5 million that is being dispersed to municipalities and counties in West Virginia.

Commissioner David Kesling said the RCC received its settlement check just before Christmas, noting it was for a total amount of $496,582.31.

The distribution is part of a memorandum of understanding that was previously adopted by state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and counsel for cities and counties in the state.

“We were anticipating getting around the amount that we received,” Kesling said. “We’re excited and happy to have finally received our portion of the money. It’s been a long, long process getting this done because we started back when Mark Scott was here.”

Kesling said the money can only be used for certain purposes, and that the commission will be meeting in the near future with county Prosecuting Attorney Michael Parker to discuss how it should be spent.

“There are specific things that the money can and can’t be used for,” Kesling said. “I know we can use it for prior and future expenses we have in battling the drug epidemic. And I know a portion of it can be used for the regional jail bill. We are going to meet with (Michael) Parker to make sure we use it for what we can under the memorandum of understanding.”

Morrisey and the state auditor’s office have formed a partnership to ensure that the settlement funds are used properly. The money must be used to abate the opioid crisis through efforts such as evidence-based addiction treatment, recovery and prevention programs, or supporting law enforcement efforts to curtail distribution.

“The money from the settlement is going to help us combat the current drug problem and also help us reimburse some of what we’ve used in the past to fight the drug epidemic,” Kesling said. “We will be using it in one way or another to help fight the drug problem in the county.” 

West Virginia, which has the nation’s highest drug overdose death rate, is receiving money from each of its settlement agreements on a staggered schedule, with annual payments coming until at least 2036.

“We’ve been partnering with the attorney general and going back and forth  signing our waivers and doing other things to make sure we move the process forward,” Kesling said. “It’s great to finally have the check and to be able to start doing something with it.”