Prosecutor urges county to consider opioid-settlement funds for Truman House recovery program

Vermillion County Prosecutor Bruce Ackerman asked the Board of Commissioners to consider directing opioid-settlement funds to support the Truman House residential recovery program in Terre Haute and to expand local capacity for treatment and re-entry supports.

Ackerman described the program's structure and outcomes and said it currently operates multiple residences that accept Vermillion County residents. He reported the county's opioid settlement balances as follows: restricted funds $1,125,099.28 and unrestricted funds $68,617.77, and urged the commission to review a joint proposal from the court, the prosecutor and probation for program support.

Tyson Cargill, director of Truman House, described the house-based recovery model: enforced structure, random drug testing, chores and employment expectations and extended stays for higher-need clients. Cargill said outcomes improve the longer individuals remain in the program and that Truman House operates largely without local tax dollars, relying on resident payments and private support.

Commissioners asked Ackerman and court staff to draft a formal proposal describing how opioid-settlement funds could be spent on recovery housing and services, including potential allocations for men's and women's programs and transportation or supportive services. Ackerman agreed to return with a proposal in time for the commissioners to review before the August meeting.

What happens next: The prosecutor and probation judge will prepare a written funding proposal outlining allowable uses of restricted and unrestricted settlement funds for commissioners to consider at a subsequent meeting.