Somerset County officials told the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9 that the county has used some opioid-settlement funds to award nearly $50,000 to local nonprofits addressing substance-use disorders and that county staff have distributed more than 1,000 naloxone (Narcan) kits.

Director Robinson described an event called “Not an Easy Fix,” which she said shows that “simple solutions don't exist for complex problems,” and said the county will continue evidence-based treatments, harm-reduction services and family supports. She noted the county will bring related items for adoption at the Sept. 23 meeting and that human services staff would give further detail on programs and spending.

Nut graf: The comments update the public on how the county has begun allocating opioid-settlement funds for local nonprofit programs and harm-reduction supplies and note a pending resolution to participate in national opioid settlements that the board added to the Sept. 23 agenda.

The agenda additions at the work session included a resolution authorizing the county’s participation in national opioid settlements; that resolution was placed on the regular-meeting agenda for formal action. Commissioners did not vote on distribution decisions at the Sept. 9 work session.

Ending: Commissioners highlighted outreach and kit distribution and reminded the public of additional discussion and formal actions scheduled for the Sept. 23 meeting.