WHEELING – Ohio County is set to receive more than $700,000 in opioid settlement funds through the West Virginia First Foundation board, which will convene in Ohio County later this month.

The board is set to meet for a regional meeting at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at The Highlands Event Center.

“We hope to have additional information about opioid settlement funds at that time,” Ohio County Administrator Randy Russell told commissioners this week.

He said the county had received two pieces of correspondence from the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office this week pertaining to the opioid funds coming to Ohio County. The first reminded the county of the approved uses of the opioid settlement funds, while the second confirmed the amount Ohio County is to receive.

Russell reported that Ohio County received its first distribution of opioid settlement funds in late 2023, and the amount of the check was $380,916.

Russell said the most recent missive from the Attorney General’s Office indicated Ohio County is set to receive another $324,469 over the next five years. That amount will be distributed as follows: $59,000 by the end of 2024, $47,000 in 2025, $73,600 in 2026, $73,600 in 2027; and $71,269 in 2028.

In total, the county’s share of the opioid settlement dollars is $705,385.

Commissioner Zach Abraham asked Russell if any ideas for the spending of the opioid money in Ohio County have been formulated. Russell said he was putting together that information, and that it would be sent to commissioners later this week for review.

The West Virginia First Foundation was created through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) entered into among West Virginia’s municipalities. The MOU directed that a separate and private entity be created for the purpose of receiving and disbursing West Virginia’s opioid settlement funds.

The foundation board presently consists of a representative from each of six districts in the state, and five members appointed by Gov. Jim Justice. Dr. Steven L. Corder, medical director for Northwood Health Systems, is Ohio County’s representative to the West Virginia First board representing Region 1.