CALHOUN COUNTY, MI (WNWN/WTVB) – Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott says the county has started to receive the first in a series of new payments from the $26 billion nationwide settlement, and one regional settlement, to resolve opioid litigation brought against pharmaceutical distributors, pharmacies and manufacturers.
The state of Michigan will get almost $800 million over the next 18 years, with 50 percent of the settlement going to county and local governments.
Scott says the majority of funds from these settlement dollars must go to opioid remediation uses. Funds can also be used for other strategies to reduce harm and save lives.
She says Calhoun County will get about $12 million in annual payments through 2038 with an annual average of $750,000.
Scott reports lots of efforts are underway to assess the community’s needs and formulate a spending plan to deploy settlement funds toward opioid remediation efforts.
Calhoun County Medical Examiner Dr. Joyce deJong is scheduled to present to the County Board of Commisioners the 2022 Annual Report which according to Scott clearly demonstrates the need for more resources to address opioid overdoses in Calhoun County, based on the number of deaths continuing year after year.
