WV physician named first board member of nonprofit tasked with delivering state's opioid settlement

A West Virginia physician has been named as the first board member of a nonprofit that has been tasked with distributing the state's opioid settlement money.

The private foundation, recognized by the state Legislature and Gov. Jim Justice earlier this year, will distribute just under three-quarters of the settlement money won by the state in lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors in West Virginia, home to the nation's highest overdose death rate. Around a quarter will go directly to local communities and 3% will remain in trust.

All funds must be used to abate the opioid crisis, like evidence-based addiction treatment, recovery and prevention programs, or supporting law enforcement efforts to curtail distribution.

Kelly, who spoke at the meeting over zoom Wednesday, said "day in and day out" southern West Virginia emergency rooms are "ground zero" for the opioid crisis.