Attorney General Patrick Morrisey answered several questions posed by Mountain State Spotlight regarding the opioid epidemic.
Morrisey, now in his third term, is running as the Republican candidate for governor.
The following are the responses he wrote in an email on Oct. 21.
The opioid lawsuits have brought back over $1 billion to the state. As governor, how do you hope those funds will be used to address this epidemic?
Morrisey: These record-breaking settlements are a critical part of our effort to reverse the damage caused by the opioid epidemic. As governor, I would advocate that these funds are used efficiently and strategically to not only treat the epidemic but also prevent future crises. That means investing in community-based recovery programs, expanding treatment facilities, providing mental health resources, and working closely with local governments to tailor solutions for their unique needs. I will also continue to prioritize prevention efforts—working with educators, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement to ensure that our next generation doesn’t fall victim to addiction. Accountability and transparency should be at the forefront as we deploy these funds, ensuring that every dollar is spent with maximum impact to save lives and rebuild communities.
During your terms as AG and your campaign, you’ve repeatedly asked for fentanyl to be labeled a weapon of mass destruction and connected illegal immigration to fentanyl smuggling over the southern border. How will addressing these national issues help the issues on the ground here in West Virginia?
Fentanyl is an incredibly lethal substance, and it has ravaged our communities in West Virginia. Labeling fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction would help federal agencies coordinate better and deploy additional resources to combat this deadly drug. This approach would also elevate the urgency of the crisis, bringing more attention to the need for decisive action. By addressing the flow of fentanyl across our southern border, we are tackling one of the root causes of this epidemic. A large portion of the fentanyl that ends up in West Virginia comes through illegal trafficking routes. Strengthening border security and cracking down on fentanyl smuggling will significantly reduce the supply of this dangerous drug in our state, helping us combat the devastation it causes on the ground here.
Early on in your term as AG, you changed policy to reduce fees outside counsels collected. Many of the opioid litigations initiated by your office have also used outside counsel. Have your thoughts on this issue changed over time?
My commitment has always been to protect the taxpayer and ensure that legal fees are fair and reasonable. That’s why I instituted reforms to cap outside counsel fees early in my tenure. These changes saved millions of dollars for West Virginians. When it comes to the opioid litigation, we sought the best talent available while keeping costs under control. These lawsuits were incredibly complex and required specialized expertise, and I’m proud that we brought in over $1 billion for our state while holding down legal costs. My thoughts haven’t changed—I’ll always push for a balance between ensuring that the state has the best legal representation and protecting the interests of taxpayers.
In 2016, you unveiled guidelines for prescribers and pharmacists in regards to pain killers. At that point in time, opioid users had largely shifted to street narcotics like heroin. Given what was going on, how do you feel those guidelines aided in addressing this crisis?
The guidelines for prescribers and pharmacists were an important step in addressing the root causes of the opioid crisis. While some users had indeed shifted to street drugs like heroin, prescription opioids were still a significant gateway to addiction for many. By issuing these guidelines, we helped reduce the over-prescription of painkillers and promoted safer prescribing practices. This, in turn, reduced the flow of legal opioids that could be diverted to the streets. These guidelines also raised awareness among healthcare providers, helping to create a culture of caution and responsibility that has played a key role in addressing the epidemic at its source.
Back in 2018, you signed onto a lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act. Experts have told me that the ACA has been key to expanding addiction treatment. How do you reconcile wanting to overturn the ACA with the expansion of care it has given for people suffering substance abuse?
My goal has always been to improve healthcare outcomes for West Virginians, including those struggling with addiction. I strongly disagree with the notion that the ACA is an effective or efficient way to deliver healthcare, including addiction treatment. The ACA has driven up costs, reduced choice, and put an unnecessary burden on taxpayers, all while failing to address the root issues in our healthcare system. There are far better ways to expand addiction treatment that don’t involve the bureaucratic mess created by the ACA. As governor, I will work to promote state-led solutions that provide targeted, effective care for those suffering from substance abuse without relying on Washington’s one-size-fits-all approach. We need a system that works for West Virginians—not more federal mandates that increase costs and stifle innovation in our healthcare sector.
Harm reduction measures such as needle exchanges, naloxone distribution, and medically assisted treatment have been controversial in many communities across the state. What is your stance on these programs?
I’ve been a proponent of broad scale narcan distribution and, in fact, have helped spearhead this process for the past few years through our drug settlements. Our settlements and the establishment of the WV First Foundation have created tools to help limit the damage from rampant drug use. But we have a long way to go. Fortunately, the structure I helped to create with all of the counties and cities represents the first time West Virginia has ever had a plan to tackle the drug crisis and the resources to implement that plan. I’m proud of that work and will build upon it as Governor.