Michigan is receiving more than $1.6 billion from a national opioid settlement, and that money is starting to make a difference.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel says when MDHHS is looking for agencies that could use financial support to help prevent overdoses, they pay close attention to those that have boots on the ground.
“Being members of the community, being members of the community, working in outreach, going out to meet people where they are so that we can see those dollars used as effectively as possible,” Hertel said.
The state is dividing its opioid settlement money with counties. Berrien County, for example, is set to receive about $8 million over the next 16 years to fight opioids.
The county’s opioid settlement committee has identified the First Church of God and the Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center as its first two partners to address the issue with settlement funds. The First Church of God is planning to introduce transitional housing for those being released from jail. The program would include a variety of support services. Sacred Heart is creating a new therapist position and peer recovery coaches for those who are struggling.
As more settlement funds come in, the county will establish an Opioid Oversight Committee to manage their further use.
