Our View: Opioid settlement funds should fight epidemic
Granted, Americans let elected leaders get away with, for example, spending tax dollars on sports arenas that benefit for-profit teams. Or spending billions of dollars from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, frequently referred to as TARP, to save the auto industry. Or, in some cities, paying people to move in to bolster the local workforce.
But a recently reported account exploring statewide receipts and ensuing expenditures shows that money intended to help rid our state of opioid abuse has often been misdirected for other purposes.
In 2022, the state started receiving proceeds negotiated through the National Opioid Settlement with pharmaceutical companies. With $980 million due to come to Indiana over 18 years, the Indiana Commission to Combat Substance Use Disorder adapted five principles for units of government to use in spending the eventual distributions.
Foremost, opioid settlement funds are to be spent to save lives. More specifically, communities are to make investments in youth substance abuse prevention programs, focus on racial equity and develop a fair, transparent process for deciding where the funds go.
In addition, the state issued a distribution structure for the opioid settlement money: 35% is to be sent to cities, counties and towns based on a weighted distribution formula that reflects opioid impacts in communities, such as programs of treatment, prevention and care that are best practices.
Some communities are using the entire 100% to fight opioid abuse.
Expenses that are not allowed include law enforcement equipment such as vests, guns, body cameras and the like.
But, as any Hoosier might guess, some local units of government have abused these principles.
Locally, Lapel acknowledged buying weapons for police.
Elwood, which expanded access to Madison County PATH (Providing Access To Healing) counseling with $61,000, spent more than $5,000 of its $227,000 on supplies and food for its animal shelter.
Alexandria, receiving $114,000, spent $1,260 on box meals for city employees during the 2024 total eclipse.
Madison County hasn't decided the fate of its $3.5 million. John Richwine, president of the County Commissioners, said the board has been focused on construction of the new county jail.
While the jail project, undoubtedly, has been time consuming, county residents expect the commissioners board to juggle multiple tasks. It's a shame commissioners haven't moved more quickly to apply that $3.5 million to the local battle against opioid abuse.
On a more positive note, Chesterfield used opioid settlement funds to buy items for first providers who often encounter overdose victims.
Some entities, like Madison County, have not spent their funds. Citizens should contact their elected representatives and urge them to funnel funds into treatment and prevention programs. Committees should be formed to devise plans for spending.
Elected officials should not see settlement distributions as an unrestrained windfall.
The National Opioid Settlement funds are intended to save lives and end the scourge of addiction, not give city employees a free box lunch.
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