The Berrien County Opioid Task Force has announced its new partnership with Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center and the First Church of God to address opioid addiction in the community.
Due to a national lawsuit involving opioid production, promotion, and distribution, the county is set to receive about $8.6 million over the next 18 years. Berrien County Health Officer Guy Miller tells us the task force sought partners to ensure the funds are used for the right purpose, to combat opioids.
“Between 2019 and 2022, Bering County saw about 115% increase in opioid-related deaths, going from 22 to 45 opioid-related deaths in the county,” Miller said. “So, as a result to that, through this request for proposal process, competitive bidding process, the county has selected these two entities.”
The task force received six proposals, and settled with Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center and the First Church of God. While Sacred Heart has worked on addiction issues for some time, Miller says the First Church of God is trying something new.
“Their proposal was phenomenal. Some of the members of the team said it really set a gold standard for what these proposals should be looking like, and they’re just highly dedicated to their community.”
The church will use its funds to operate two transitional living homes for men leaving inpatient rehabilitation centers or prison. The church is receiving $420,000 over the next three years for its program, while Sacred Heart will receive $484,000 to expand opioid treatment services and peer recovery programming.
Miller says after three years, the county may seek new proposals for use of the opioid settlement funds. Both partners have already started work.
