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Money has begun to flow to county commissions that expected to receive their portion of the nearly $1 billion coming to West Virginia through settlement of opioid lawsuits.
The Mercer County Commission got $1.9 million. Kanawha County Commission received $2.9 million.
State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, whose run for the Republican nomination for governor coincides with the start of fund distribution, took the opportunity to remind Kanawha County Commissioners of the partnership that has been established to ensure all that money being thrown around is used for its intended purpose.
All the money must be used to abate the opioid crisis through efforts such as addiction treatment, recovery and prevention programs, or supporting law enforcement in anti-drug measures.
Perhaps the reminder was spurred by watching how government entities who received "COVID-19 money" chose to interpret the rules for use of the funds.
Because of the timing of the settlements, money will be headed our way into 2036. That's time enough for both public officials and the West Virginia First Foundation to get a little lax in their interpretation of what will abate the opioid crisis.
All those involved in handing out and putting to use the money received as compensation for the damage done by pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors must do so with full transparency and accountability to the public. It must be used to help West Virginia turn the tide in the substance abuse epidemic that has crippled a generation, not to gain political points.
Other socio-cultural changes must occur alongside the use of the funds, but they could make a real difference for Mountain State residents -- if the stewards of the money get this right.