Houston County Opioid Settlement Funds
Minnesota has joined a broad multistate coalition in reaching nationwide settlements with the three largest opioid distributors – AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson – and opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. The settlements resolve investigations and lawsuits against these companies for their role in the opioid crisis. If the settlements are fully adopted nationally, the distributors will pay $21 billion over 18 years and Johnson & Johnson will pay $5 billion over 10 years.
In April 2024 Houston County stakeholders began monthly meetings to discuss the usage of opioid settlement funds because of various lawsuits with pharmaceutical companies. These funds will be distributed over the span of 18 years and are to be used to develop an opioid crisis response within a designated jurisdiction. To decide how opioid settlement funds are spent a collaborative group of key stakeholders are required to vote on spending. Prior to voting on spending decisions our stakeholders determined that a community needs survey was necessary to determine what were the most critical responses to opioid use and/or prevention.
As a result of our community needs survey, we have created a mini-grant application process through a request for proposals.
The details of this proposal can be found here.
If your agency is interested in housing an AED or Naloxone Wall Box, the application can be found here.