Judges, drug‑court officials ask county for $500,000 in opioid settlement funds for treatment

Judge Lee Wilson and Angela Parkerson told the budget committee that Shelby County's Drug Court needs $500,000 from opioid settlement funds to cover treatment costs for participants, many of whom present with opioid (predominantly fentanyl) use and require longer, costlier inpatient and structured living placements.

"Shelby County is currently the largest drug court in our state," Judge Wilson said. He described that about 40% of program participants are opioid cases and that many admitted as inpatients remain in residential treatment for 28 to 45 days, often followed by 6–12 months in structured living. Angela Parkerson, the Drug Court administrator, said the program received 825 referrals from 2022 to 2025, of which 536 were identified as high‑risk/high‑needs; she added that 60% of those admitted test positive for an opioid.

Parkerson said all requested funding would be used for treatment (account 6632 for professional fees) and that the Drug Court pursues additional grants; she noted an impending state opioid abatement council decision and other federal grant applications. Commissioners pressed for a detailed budget and a sustainability plan; the committee asked the presenters to prepare line‑item details and to show projected outcomes (e.g., how many participants the $500,000 would support) before final approval.

The committee advanced the resolution with a favorable recommendation but requested an amended resolution or detailed budget to be submitted to the committee on Monday for final consideration.