Council approves five‑year opioid‑abatement plan to fund jail treatment, grants and recovery services

Sheriff Gambo presented a five‑year local abatement plan drafted by the County’s Local Drug and Alcohol Coordinating Committee (ELDAC) to allocate opioid settlement and local direct settlement funds through June 30, 2031. The plan calls for setting aside roughly $200,000 annually intended to support the Talbot County Detention Center’s medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) program (including a full‑time substance‑use counselor, a full‑time peer recovery specialist and a part‑time registered nurse, medication and urinalysis testing).

The plan also preserves a microgrant subrecipient pot (about $47,000) for local nonprofits to apply for small projects and proposes annual support for Grace Street Recovery Organization (the county’s safe station) at approximately $50,000, subject to available local direct settlement revenues. The plan includes an initial allocation of roughly $12,000 to develop a dual‑agency outreach app (Sheriff’s Office and DES) with ongoing maintenance estimated at about $7,500 per year thereafter.

Sheriff Gambo said the ELDAC majority supported the plan and that spending priorities reflect state guidance for local abatement plans. Councilors praised the committee’s deliberative process and voted unanimously to concur with submission of the five‑year plan to the state. Council asked staff to return with details on grant administration and any required reporting to the state.