Washington County may spend opioid settlement on drug abuse treatment, transportation

WASHINGTON - As pharmaceutical giants pay out settlement funds to local governments across the nation for their role in an “epidemic” of opioid addictions and overdoses, Washington County has begun discussions on what to do with the cash.

The county of under 23,000 people is set to receive $506,391 by 2038, when the settlements finish paying out. The money can only be spent on certain programs, spelled out in clauses of the legal agreement reached between Allergan, CVS, Teva, Walgreens, Walmart and over 3,000 state and local governments.

At a meeting on March 26, Washington County Supervisors considered plans to spend the revenue on substance abuse evaluations and treatment programs for people on probation.

“I think it’s something we need to look into,” said Board Chair Richard Young. “We could help these people, by using that to get them what they need.”

Washington County Outreach Director Brandon Hamilton said under 60% of probationers required to get substance abuse evaluations by the county did so in the last quarter. Of those recommended for treatment after such evaluations, he said only half completed it.

The less-than-ideal followup rate may be due to Washington County’s lack of a facility to conduct substance abuse evaluations. Hamilton said many people lacked transportation to reach the closest center in Iowa City, while others may not have the insurance coverage to undergo any treatment.

The money could conceivably go to local health care providers to help hire staff, or to individuals who need help paying for treatment-related care and transportation.

“For sure, the county has the need for it,” Hamilton said of drug abuse-related health care. “It’s just a matter of trying to get it.”

County officials said they’d look into options for how they could spend the money.

A 16-page document labeled “Exhibit E” on the settlement agreement specifies uses for the money. Examples include opioid use prevention programs, data collection, first responder training, and distributing naloxone - a drug that can reverse opioid overdoses - to uninsured people.

One category of uses covers a wide range of programs to “support people in treatment and recovery” with housing, transportation, education, job placement, child care, and other needs.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com