By Stephen Smoot
“Heavenly Father, we thank You for this special time of the season,” prayed Harrison County Commissioner Patsy Trecost as he gave the invocation to open the meeting last week. The commissioners also led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance and commenced the meeting.
One of the most important meeting topics dwelt on a request from the Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department for $75,000 to cover the cost of restocking supplies of certain types of Narcan.
Narcan assists first responders and others attempting to revive an individual overdosing on opioid type narcotic drugs. Different levels of skills and training among fire, police, and EMTs are required to administer different versions of Narcan in the field. These versions can carry different levels of potency and also utilize different delivery methods from a nasal spray to IVs.
“We have a huge opioid issue in Harrison County,” stated Chad Bundy, representing the Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department. “We want every first responder to have that available to them.”
Bundy explained that, officially, 215 opioid response calls came in last year, but that actual cases could have reached 300. Calls for heart attack, collapse, or other issues might actually be opioid calls, but end up classified in other ways.
Jeffrey Way from the Harrison County Emergency Squad accompanied Bundy and explained the the commission the process of purchasing in bulk. Narcan can be obtained at a discount in bulk, but supply chain issues render it imperative to get the bulk amounts when available.
Way said “when we find it in bulk, we need to jump on it quick.” Discounts can shave up to 75 percent off of the retail cost of the drug.
Commissioner David Hinkle inquired further about the request. He asked Bundy if “you’re supplying to fire departments,” to which Bundy responded in the affirmative, also stating that they distribute to all first responders in the county, including volunteer units.
“I’m all for it, but I don’t see why we need to buy it at such cost,” queried Hinkle.
Way and Bundy explained that Narcan has a lengthy shelf life, in many cases up to two or three years. The need, unfortunately, remains great enough that “there isn’t much spoilage.” Additionally, the $75,000 request would work to serve county needs for three years.
Commissioners approved the request for $75,000 over three years, with the instruction that the Health Department could always make a request if the approved amount ran out.
Also requesting funds from the commission was the American Red Cross. Michelle DuBose came to the meeting to speak on the organization’s behalf, starting with “we appreciate your annual support.” The American Red Cross, in addition to the well-publicized blood drives, also provides care services, such as temporary housing and support for those who lost their homes to fire.
DuBose reported that 14 county families received assistance front the Red Cross in the past year and stated that “we seek to be the best part of someone’s worst day.”
Commissioners considered the request for $2,770 and approved an even $3,000.
In the short March 13 meeting, commissioners approved requesting support from Senator Joe Manchin in congressionally directed spending. They approved a request for $3 million for a Harrison County agriculture and youth complex, as well as $3.5 million to help to construct a new animal control facility.
The next day, Keith McIntosh from Senator Manchin’s office confirmed in a call with Region 8 Planning and Development Council that the office deadline for applications was extended to April 9.