Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties gave the Faribault County Commissioners a virtual presentation at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday about the usage of the opioid settlement funds Faribault County is receiving due to the $36 billion multi state settlement agreement, reached in 2021, with manufacturers and distributors of opioids.
Commissioner Tom Loveall says the settlement gets distributed through July 31st 2038. In total, Faribault County is set to receive $806,000. So far$ 206,000 has been received. Task force called the Stronger Together Coalition had been formed to look into what to do with the funds.
As of right now, Loveall says the use of the settlement funds will be split 50/50, 50% of the funds will go toward opioid addition prevention and 50% on addiction treatment. The funds can be spent by Human Services or granted out to other entities.
After the presentation and some discussion, the board voted to have Human Services administer and oversee the grant process.