Pike County OKs $241,893 initial opioid settlement payment to health department to create treatment hub

The Pike County Fiscal Court on May 6 authorized the judge executive to execute a memorandum of agreement with the Pike County Health Department and issue an initial payment of $241,893 from opioid settlement funds to create a local substance‑use “hub.”

Judge Jones said the payment is the first year of a five‑year plan totaling $990,017 from the National Opioid Settlement and that the hub will centralize prevention, treatment and education services. “All of those things are going to be under 1 roof. And, it's going to help answer a lot of questions and expedite getting people into treatment,” Jones said.

The court discussed limits on settlement money, noting the funds cannot be used for law enforcement and are aimed at prevention, treatment and related education. Judge Jones said the hub will operate out of the new Phelps health department building when it opens and will offer referrals, naloxone training, support for families and links to inpatient and outpatient services.

The motion to authorize the judge executive to sign the agreement and for the treasurer to issue the initial check passed unanimously.

The authorization follows a recommendation from the Pike County Opioid Settlement Committee, which the judge said voted unanimously in a working group. The court did not adopt a program ordinance at the meeting; the memorandum of agreement and first payment were the formal actions recorded.

Court members and staff did not discuss specific implementation timelines for individual services beyond saying the hub will operate from the new Phelps health department facility when it opens, nor did the court specify performance metrics in the MOA during the meeting.