The Todd County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 6 approved two uses of opioid‑settlement funds to support local recovery and harm‑reduction efforts.

Health and Human Services staff recommended $25,200 for Wellness in the Woods to continue a peer‑support program that provides twice‑weekly sessions inside the county jail to help inmates with recovery and reentry. Staff noted the county previously supported the program in 2023 ($16,250) and 2024 (about $25,002). After discussion about pacing expenditures from the county’s multi‑year settlement fund, commissioners voted to approve the $25,200 payment.

The board also approved a second request from the Todd County Sheriff’s Office to purchase and house a medication drop box, a sharps collection box and a naloxone distribution point in the sheriff’s office lobby. Sheriff Allen described the boxes as a 24‑hour, low‑visibility option where residents can dispose of unwanted medications and obtain naloxone for overdose reversal. The motion was approved; the transcript did not specify the dollar amount for the sheriff’s request.

Commissioners asked how the programs would be tracked and whether larger awards should be considered given the county’s multi‑year funding stream. Health and Human Services staff explained these awards are reimbursement‑based and that the county retains financial and reporting oversight through the advisory committee. The staff representative said the settlement proceeds are scheduled to arrive over many years and recommended measured disbursements to ensure sustained programming.

Next steps: Wellness in the Woods will proceed with reimbursement requests; the Sheriff's Office will implement the drop box and sharps protocol in coordination with the county transfer station for disposal.