MOUNDSVILLE — The Marshall County Commission understands the costs to fund opioid prevention measures throughout West Virginia can be substantial — and the money available can be sparse. So the commission is lending a significant hand to organizations in Marshall County that are trying to combat the opioid epidemic.

The commission has announced that it will offer organizations part of $100,000 in grant awards in this first round of funding distribution, said Marshall County Administrator Betsy Wilson-Frohnapfel.

“We don’t know if it’s going to be two grants awarded for $50,000 each or five for $20,000,” Wilson-Frohnapfel said. “We just have to see what comes in. We do plan to do a second round. Whether it’s in six months or a year, we’re not sure. But the thought is to do this every year or so.”

An application process has been developed and organizations can apply immediately. The application can be accessed at marshallcountywv.gov/gov/agencies/county-commission or by calling 304-845-0482 and requesting a copy. The applications can be dropped off at the Marshall County Commission office, mailed to the commission c/o Opioid Fund Grant Request, PO Drawer B, Moundsville, WV 26041, or emailed to Wilson-Frohnapfel at commission@marshallcowv.gov. If emailing, put “Opioid Fund Grant Request” in the subject line.

All applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. Jan. 9.

Funding decisions are at the sole discretion of the commission and it reserves the right to fund, partially fund or deny any grant request.

The commission is making sure that resources are available in Marshall County both for organizations specializing in prevention and law enforcement agencies. Wilson-Frohnapfel said it was important that both avenues receive the necessary support.

“It’s a tightrope,” she said. “You walk that fine line to help both sides of it, but in the commission’s opinion, if you don’t work on both sides, you’re not going to get anywhere just focusing on one side or the other.”

Marshall County Commissioner Scott Varner said it was crucial to look at all sides in the battle against opioid addiction and illegal distribution.

“We as a commission feel it’s extremely important, because you’re looking at a holistic approach versus a segmented approach,” he said. “It’s certainly a great start, and obviously we’ll evaluate, see how things work and see what we can do to make things even better.”