Polk County updates opioid-settlement plan; public health expands naloxone training and distribution

Polk County Public Health told commissioners the department has begun distributing naloxone and offering community training funded through the county's opioid settlement allocation, and the board approved a slate of advisory-council appointments to oversee settlement spending.

Public-health staff said training and a standing-order protocol were established and that distribution and organization-level trainings ran from September through December in East Grand Forks, Crookston and Fosston. The county has begun offering training to organizations on request and maintains naloxone (nasal formulation) at all three public-health offices. Staff reported spending just over $42,100 so far on training materials and naloxone purchases, and that the county obtains a government discount for the product.

Why it matters: The board previously identified naloxone distribution and community education as a priority use of opioid-settlement funds. The board's approvals this week — reappointments and two new members to the opioid settlement advisory council — formalize oversight for the program and related funding decisions.

Details from the meeting: Public Health staff noted partners in the work, including Greater Northwest EMS and the Steve Rummler Hope Network. Riverview Pharmacy was identified in the meeting as a naloxone-access point (NAP) offering both injectable and nasal naloxone; other chain pharmacies (for example, Walmart) were noted as places where residents can obtain naloxone by purchase. Staff described differences in product form (injectable versus nasal) as a practical barrier in some settings; the county is prioritizing nasal kits for community distribution.

Board action: The commissioners approved the reappointments and new appointments to the opioid settlement advisory council. The board also approved acceptance of a separate Blue Cross Blue Shield donation that will support youth programming in Polk and neighboring counties; a memorandum of agreement naming Alooma as fiscal host for the Crookston Youth Foundation was also approved to enable use of settlement funds for youth initiatives.

What comes next: Public Health will continue to offer trainings on request, supply naloxone at county offices, and coordinate with pharmacies and community partners to expand access. The advisory council will guide future disbursements from the county's settlement allocation.