Council weighs one‑time opioid settlement uses: school programs, take‑backs and equipment

Assistant City Manager Nick Kimball told the council on Dec. 3 that South Pasadena has received a proportional share of California’s opioid settlement funds (a little more than $117,000 so far) and that settlement agreements restrict the money to opioid‑harm remediation activities rather than general purposes.

Kimball said eligible uses include prevention and education, treatment and recovery, harm reduction, community support and data/evaluation. Staff recommended focusing on school‑based prevention and awareness, regular drug take‑back events in partnership with the DEA, and one‑time purchases of equipment such as airway‑support devices for fire crews and secure drug disposal units for police.

Lieutenant Shannon Robledo of the South Pasadena Police Department confirmed settlement funds can pay for Narcan distribution and training for teachers, library staff and city employees and said naloxone use by officers has led to nearly 10 lives saved in the past six years.

"These funds are restricted per their respective settlement agreements and must be used to remediate opioid‑related harms such as addiction, overdose and community impact," Nick Kimball said. Lieutenant Robledo added that training and distribution programs for naloxone are eligible uses and that SPPD can help coordinate distribution and outreach.

Council members discussed prioritizing training and distribution to schools, library staff and community‑facing employees before broad public awareness campaigns and asked staff to explore coordination with existing outreach providers (e.g., LA County contracted outreach groups). Staff will return with an implementation plan and reporting schedule for funds spent.