Commissioners allocate opioid-settlement funds to local programs and services

Gibson County commissioners approved a set of allocations from opioid settlement dollars after a review by a community panel. County leaders explained the state had distributed both restricted and unrestricted settlement funds from litigation against pharmaceutical retailers and manufacturers and the local panel recommended a mix of treatment, prevention and support programs.

The court-record summary and public remarks said the county approved $206,000 in restricted funds that carry state-imposed guidelines. From the unrestricted portion the board awarded $9,022 to True Hope for a program that includes addiction components and services for pregnant people, $13,468 to the Gibson County Council on Aging for programs addressing opioid dependence among older residents, and $30,000 to Remnant Warrior Ministries for a veteran- and PTSD-focused program that includes addiction treatment components.

Commissioners also approved spending about $7,500 to install a kiosk in the probation department to streamline testing and reduce staff burden, and noted attorney and meeting costs of roughly $500 were paid from unrestricted funds. By the board's accounting, approximately $7,667 remained in the currently available unrestricted pool; commissioners said the county will reopen applications when a new round of settlement funds arrives (the county noted additional litigation settlements may increase available amounts later this year).

A county official emphasized that restricted funds are bound by state guidelines and that the county convened multiple open meetings to review applications. The board recorded the motion to approve the recommended awards and confirmed the action passed with aye votes; the meeting record does not give a detailed roll call.