By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – State Attorney General Bob Ferguson confirmed on Monday that he has closed a massive settlement with 3 separate opioid distributors that awards $518 million to multiple counties and cities throughout Washington. That includes Clallam County and the City of Port Angeles. Only cities and counties with populations over 10,000 were eligible.
The County will receive, in allotments over a period if 17 years, $2.8 million. Port Angeles is expected to get over $988,000, or $55,000 per year.
The settlement stems from the 3 companies failing to stop suspicious opioid shipments coming into the state. The companies also failed to report those shipments.
How will the money be used? The settlement requires that the money must be spent on efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
City Attorney Bill Bloor told KONP that the lion’s share will be for the Fire Department and Police Department to use for related programs.
The Fire Department says their Paramedic programs could use the funds to give community members better access to emergency treatment for overdoses, recovery services, and assistance for uninsured individuals, just to name a few.
The Police Department has specifically identified the REdisCOVERY Program as appropriate for this funding. It’s contracted effort between the Port Angeles Police Department and the Olympic Peninsula Community Clinic that provides field response for mental health and behavioral conditions impacted by opioid use.
As for the County, Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry told KONP they discussed the subject at their most recent Board of Health meeting, and it looks like the final call on spending will be made by the Salish Behavioral Health Organization. Berry says they plan to submit proposals for harm reduction and substance use treatment outreach services as well as supports for families affected by addiction.