A small group of Mathews County officials and stakeholders met last month to discuss the potential use of funds the county has received for opioid abatement. The Feb. 22 meeting was open to the public, but only stakeholders attended.

Mathews County Administrator Ramona Wilson explained that it was the third stakeholder meeting held to help determine how the county should eventually allocate the $22,585.96 it has received thus far in the national Opioid Abatement Settlement.

The funds represent the initial payments in two long-term settlements, one with a drug manufacturer that will continue for 10 years, and a second with several wholesale pharmaceutical companies that will continue for 18 years. The county has applied for an additional grant in the amount of $8,197, said Mathews Senior Executive Associate Judi Green, and will be submitting new paperwork for a settlement that has been reached with distributing pharmacies.

Gloucester Deputy County Administrator Steve Wright to...