Settlement money for combating the opioid epidemic is being distributed to various towns and cities across the U.S. Concerns exist regarding the potential misuse of funds, as local governments may lack the capacity to allocate them effectively. Opioids have caused significant deaths in the U.S., leading to dozens of lawsuits against drugmakers, wholesalers, and pharmacies. Settlement money to help stem the decades-long opioid addiction and overdose epidemic is rolling out to small towns and big cities across the U.S., but advocates worry that chunks of it may be used in ways that don’t make a dent in the crisis.
Various settlements have been reached between drugmakers, wholesalers, and pharmacies with state, local, and Native American tribal governments over the past decade. These settlements could total more than $50 billion over nearly two decades and come with requirements for better monitoring of prescriptions and making company documents public. The goal is to use most of the funds to combat the crisis and help those taking opioids to get treatment, reduce overdoses, and prevent people from taking drugs in the first place.
The distribution of settlement funds has raised concerns about how the money will be spent and whether local governments have the capacity to allocate the funds effectively. Some towns have chosen to hand over their settlement money to larger entities, like counties, to handle the subject more efficiently. The allocation process varies by state, with different requirements for reporting and decision-making processes. Funds can be used for various initiatives, such as distributing overdose antidotes, running addiction recovery programs, and providing mental health resources to communities in need.
While some communities have taken proactive steps to allocate their funds, others have struggled to identify their communities’ needs and develop strategic plans for using the money effectively. Advocates stress the importance of conducting community needs assessments and involving relevant organizations in the decision-making process to ensure that funds are used to address the root causes of the opioid crisis. There is also a need for increased marketing of available resources to connect those in need with the services they require.
Different approaches to using settlement funds have been seen across the U.S., with some communities pooling their resources to create partnerships that fund a variety of projects aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic. In Arkansas, for example, various towns and counties have come together to create the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership, which funds projects like hiring overdose investigators, peer recovery specialists, and expanding recovery housing centers. These collaborative efforts aim to fill gaps in the state’s treatment, recovery, and prevention systems, ensuring that funds are used effectively to combat the opioid crisis.
