The Kanawha County Commission announced its support for who it believes should lead a regional delegation tasked with overseeing the distribution of opioid settlement funds statewide. The commission nominated Dr. Matthew Christiansen, who currently serves as the state health officer in West Virginia, as the nominee for Region 5 of the West Virginia First Foundation. The foundation, a nonprofit made up of board members from six regions throughout the state, will be in charge of dispersing more than $1 billion in opioid settlement money. Cabell, Clay, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam, Mason, Mingo and Wayne counties make up Region 5, and representatives are set to meet July 12 to discuss and decide between Christiansen and other nominees.