Orleans to receive $350K to $600K in opioid settlement
Orleans County should receive anywhere from $347,049.64 to $606,299.83 as part of $1.5 billion to be distributed throughout the state as part of an opioid settlement with drug manufacturers and distributors.
Attorney General Letitia James announced the settlement funds today.
Orleans County will need to formulate a committee regarding the funds, said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer.
“The vast majority of this money is for rehab-type services and intervention,” Welch said. “These funds are not intended to have any effect on the County’s budget. By that I mean any reimbursement for existing expenses of the County’s services.”
The state has defined uses for the funds to include treating opioid use disorder, supporting people in treatment and recovery, connecting people who need help to assistance, preventing misuse of opioids, and preventing overdose deaths and other harms, Welch said.
“Needless to say, it will take some time to ensure that this money will be utilized as authorized,” he said.
