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Health department outlines opioid settlement work plan: billboards, Narcan vending and Oxford House scholarships
Summary
West Allis health officials presented a multi-year opioid settlement work plan that funds prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery programs including billboards, Narcan vending machines, coasters in bars, school outreach and rental assistance for Oxford House residents.
West Allis health department staff reviewed the city’s opioid settlement fund work plan and described campaigns and programs funded since 2023 and planned for 2026. Officials said the city has received more than $500,000 to date from manufacturer settlements and has spent roughly $80,000, with funds continuing to arrive over the next decade-plus.
“It's been a busy few years working on this, putting together kind of the work plan,” health department staffer Nick said, explaining the plan centers on five target areas: prevention and early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery and continuum of care. Staff noted funded activities to date include six billboard placements in high-overdose areas, TV commercials in English and Spanish in partnership with other local health departments, banner campaigns in retail locations, postcard outreach to overdose hot spots and distribution of Narcan via public vending machines.
For harm reduction, officials described Narcan trainings and a coasters campaign that placed 400 coasters at five bars to raise overdose awareness and encourage naloxone availability. Staff also described a drug-disposal drop box to be located at the health department vestibule, with police managing emptying and destruction of collected medications.
Under recovery, the department proposed scholarships to cover initial room-and-board costs for individuals entering Oxford House sober-living homes in West Allis, with a preliminary annual budgeted amount of about $7,500 for rental-assistance scholarships. The presenters said they partner with Community Medical Services and Rogers Behavioral Health for placements and referrals.
Officials described outreach to schools for opioid education programming focused on sixth graders and said they are coordinating with the school district; they also noted collaborations with fire and police departments for training and potential mobile integrated health teams. A council member urged expansion of prevention messaging to younger children; staff said they have piloted 911-awareness presentations in elementary schools and are exploring broader curriculum integration.
Council members asked about costs and distribution. The health department said a two-dose box of Narcan costs about $33 but the department currently receives Narcan through a state distribution program and is not purchasing Narcan out of the settlement funds. The department estimated roughly $420,000 remains available and said additional settlement payments are expected, potentially raising the city’s total to well over $1 million after future settlements.
No vote was required; the presentation was informational and the committee voiced support for continued prevention and recovery work funded by the opioid settlement.
