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SUDAC outlines opioid‑fund allocations; local parents’ group details scholarships and support
Summary
The Substance Use Disorder Advisory Committee reported allocations for transportation, scholarships, harm‑reduction distribution and first‑responder mental‑health programs; Parents Supporting Parents described outreach, scholarships and distribution of naloxone to local organizations.
The Select Board received an update from the Substance Use Disorder Advisory Committee (SUDAC) on how the town has used opioid settlement funds. SUDAC members said the committee has prioritized funding for programs that are not otherwise available locally, including transportation to treatment, sober‑living scholarships and mobile harm‑reduction services.
Lynn Carlson, speaking for SUDAC, outlined the committee’s vetting process and public outreach. She summarized recent disbursements and said the town expects annual settlement distributions through 2038 totaling approximately $531,610 (the transcript reported annual variations and a rough average). Carlson said the committee is working with regional partners and first responders and has proposed a transparent approval pathway for disbursements.
Parents Supporting Parents representatives described their on‑the‑ground work. Linda Cubellis, who identified herself as president of Parents Supporting Parents, said the group has raised funds for scholarships to support residents entering sober living and that those scholarships have helped at least one young person remain in recovery. Carlson reported SUDAC had distributed naloxone kits and noted a figure from committee partners that 184 naloxone kits had been distributed locally.
Board members praised the committee’s outreach and asked staff to propose an administrative process for annual disbursement approvals, including a threshold for select board review of larger awards. SUDAC asked the board to consider designating a Recovery Day and to support community awareness events; the board agreed to consider administrative procedures and return with a proposed process.
