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Kent County board adopts opioid settlement allocation plan; some commissioners call for strong oversight
Summary
The board accepted multiple opioid-settlement payments and confirmed that allocations will follow the county's opioid-task-force plan; several commissioners expressed that settlement amounts are insufficient while others emphasized the need for accountability and measurement of treatment outcomes.
Kent County commissioners voted Sept. 11 to accept and allocate opioid settlement funds from Purdue/Sackler and other manufacturer/distributor defendants, approving two resolutions (75 and 76) that authorize distribution under the county's previously adopted allocation plan.
Both resolutions passed with roll-call votes of 18–1. Commissioner Pohnstein registered a no vote on at least one of the settlement resolutions and criticized the settlements as inadequate "a little slap on the hands" for companies that profited from opioid sales. Other commissioners urged rigorous oversight to make sure the money produces measurable public-health benefits.
Administrator Al Vandenberg and staff told the board that settlement dollars are governed by the county's opioid-task-force allocation plan and that the task force will reconvene to prepare the next round of recommendations starting in January. Commissioner Steck confirmed the initial two-year allocation plan and said staff and the task force will report back for subsequent review.
Commissioner Womack urged careful tracking of outcomes, saying she hopes funds are spent to "save some lives" and called attention to youth drug use mentioned in community-produced podcasts. Commissioner LeGrand highlighted work in the county jail where settlement funds have been used to support substance-use-disorder treatment and noted potential state funding cuts that could increase reliance on local settlement dollars.
Ending: The board adopted the resolutions and directed continued oversight through the opioid task force; staff will return with periodic reports and prepare a new recommendation cycle beginning in January.
