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WEIRTON -- While Weirton Council, earlier this month, appropriated a portion of the city's opioid settlement funds, officials note the distributions wouldn't be the only ones made.
During the March 10 meeting of Weirton Council, two resolutions were unanimously approved, allocating portions of West Virginia Opioid Settlement Funds to the Weirton Police Department and the Weirton Fire Department.
The funds were provided to the city through its participation in the state's opioid settlement program, with money derived through court-ordered settlements in cases brought by the State of West Virginia against various pharmaceutical companies and retailers over the sale of prescription opioids, with officials saying a lack of effective controls helped to fuel the opioid crisis in the state.
The Weirton Police Department is receiving $211,654.85, with the Weirton Fire Department allocated $277,555.10.
"We probably have another three or four to consider," City Manager Mike Adams said, explaining those applications had been submitted to the city within a couple of weeks prior to the meeting.
The police department plans to use its funding for the purchase of two K-9 vehicles, with accessories, as well as the purchase of video and license plate reader systems.
The fire department's plans for the funds include the purchase of new medical equipment and to cover the costs of related training. The equipment includes automated external defibrillators, to be placed on each of the department's trucks as well as in various municipal-owned buildings, and a LUCAS device, a mechanical chest compression system, used to assist in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Those still interested in applying for a share of the funds may find an application online through the city's website at http://cityofweirton.com/586/Weirton-Opioid-Settlement-Funding-Reques
Guidelines for use of the funds are established through the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding, tasking organizations awarded such grants to put them toward either education, emergency services, prevention, intervention, or rehabilitation in combating the opioid crisis.
To be eligible, an applicant must be either a tax-exempt non-profit entity or a government entity, have an established history of addressing the issues related to opioid use or have undertaken projects related to one of the five categories.
City officials also may consider whether the proposed use may be better handled by another entity, the applicant's track record and history, whether the applicant has alternative funding sources for their proposal, whether it is a one-time award or an ongoing expense, the level of involvement for the city, existing funding of similar programs and the applicant's anticipated outcome for its proposed program.
Successful applicants also must provide the city quarterly, written updates on their program and use of funds.
The city's application includes nine questions, asking for an applicant's name, address and contact information, organizational officers, a description of the project, a cost estimate, a listing of other funding sources, how much is being requested from the city and how it will be used if awarded, and whether additional support from the city will be needed.
Each application will be reviewed by the city manager, or a designee, with awards requiring approval from Weirton Council.