Kirksville authorizes city to participate in new Purdue/Sackler opioid settlement; staff eye camp proposal for prevention

The Kirksville City Council on Aug. 4 approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute documents allowing the city to participate in a new national opioid settlement with Purdue and the Sackler family.

City Manager Mary Maycomber said the settlements date back to litigation beginning in 2021 and that funds received by local governments must be used for activities that address opioid addiction, prevention, treatment, or related uses such as disposal programs. “Those funds can only be used for activities that are intended to either, help individuals with opioid addiction, prevention,” Maycomber said.

Maycomber and staff discussed a potential locally run summer camp for youth as a proposed use; she said state guidance had at times limited creative program options and that staff would like to pursue a camp if allowed under settlement rules. She asked the finance director to supply updates on amounts collected to date and said staff would return with specifics and a proposed program if allowable within settlement terms.

The council approved the ordinance on first and second readings. No specific program was funded or approved at the meeting; any use of settlement funds will be subject to the settlement terms and likely require separate council approval once staff identifies permissible local programs and budgets.