An intergovernmental board is pushing for opioid settlement money to go toward attacking substance use disorder from two directions: helping some get off drugs and preventing others from ever trying them.
The Local Government Coordinating Council (LGCC) is charged with plotting how best to use a pot of settlement money that will add up to more than $150 million.
The council is recommending to the Bernalillo County Commission, Albuquerque City Council and Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education that 60% of the money go toward treatment and 40% toward prevention efforts.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity to apply $150 million to meaningfully expand programs, services and facilities and provide comprehensive wrap-around services to those in our community suffering from substance use disorder,” Bernalillo County Commission Vice Chair and LGCC Chair Adriann Barboa said. “By combining funds, we will facilitate a sizable impact with the potential to effectively service those most in need.”
Opioid settlement dollars are being awarded as part of litigation brought by states and local governments against pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers. The settlements reached so far entitled Bernalillo County and the City of Albuquerque to receive a total of $150 million over 15 years.
The Joint Opioid Settlement Implementation Plan will next be presented to the County Commission, City Council and school board for final adoption.
The plan includes new space for treatment and intervention efforts, an investment in creating capacity through competitive grants to local service providers and expansion of APS’ Crossroads program.
The latter program is designed to improve academic performance and overall student wellness, while helping students avoid alcohol, tobacco and recreational drug use.
“We see early prevention as our front-line defense against the scourge of drugs in our community, and we’re grateful to be part of this visionary effort,” APS Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey said.
The plan also calls for a detailed explanation of elevated community involvement, expansion of access to the overdose prevention drug naloxone (commonly known as Narcan or Evzio) and the creation of a combined dashboard showing expenditures and outcomes.