September 7, 2023
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
 Dear Friends,
This week, we confronted a somber subject that should remind us all how complicated and fragile life can be for so many of us.
Addiction to opioids knows no boundaries and affects every demographic in Oakland County, Michigan and the nation. All too often, what starts out as prescribed recovery from an injury or surgery has had tragic consequences for friends, family, neighbors and co-workers.
In the last 20 years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that more than 645,000 people in the nation have died from an opioid overdose. In the past 10 years, 2,600 people, including 180 in 2021, have died in Oakland County from drug abuse and overdoses.
Those numbers are staggering and heartbreaking.
But we now have the expanded resources to help make a difference for people who are struggling with addiction.
Thanks to the perseverance of local and state officials, Oakland County was one of the first in the state to sign on to a class action lawsuit against the pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies that helped fuel the opioid epidemic. It took nearly 10 years, but Attorneys General from around the nation, including Michigan’s AG Dana Nessel, were relentless in their pursuit of justice and financial compensation for community costs associated with fighting the epidemic.
And we’re beginning to receive the funding from that lawsuit settlement. We’ll be getting an estimated $35 million over the next 20 years to provide prevention programming, as well as support, treatment and recovery resources for people struggling with opioid addiction.
And that’s where you come in. The county’s Health Division will be holding listening sessions across the county, beginning next week, to talk with residents about the impacts of the opioid epidemic and how we can best use the funding to prevent substance abuse and help people on their path to recovery.
To find out more and to register for one of these sessions, go to https://www.oakgov.com/health.
The settlement funding will help us build on resources and programming we’ve already implemented to fight substance abuse and overdose deaths.
We have installed five Narcan vending machines across the county that have provided life-saving medications for people who have overdosed on opioids and their families. The county’s harm reduction program has distributed 2,145 Narcan kits, resulting in 177 reported rescues so far in 2023.
We will continue with these and other harm reduction initiatives because it is our moral responsibility to invest in the programs and medicines that can help save lives and put people on the path toward recovery and good health.
With gratitude,
Dave Coulter
Oakland County Executive
 Severe Weather challenges
It’s that time of year when severe weather and soaring temperatures could wreak havoc on Michigan communities.
We saw it with storms late last month that upended trees, blew down power lines and left thousands and thousands of people without power.
Oakland County’s Emergency Management department mobilized to help South Lyon after the latest storm resulted in a disaster declaration for the city.
This is a perfect time to sign up for OakAlert, the county’s emergency notification system. OakAlert will send texts, calls and emails when emergency situations occur, such as severe weather, public health or public safety emergencies, evacuation notices, road closures or shelter-in-place orders.
It’s easy to find out more information and sign up for OakAlert.
Senior Market Days winding down
There are two more senior market days this year when residents 60 years and older can receive a $5 coupon to spend on produce at participating farmers’ markets.
Senior Market Days will occur on the following dates:
- Sept. 7, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford
- Sept. 9, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Farmington Farmers Market, 33113 Grand River Ave., Farmington
Coupon distribution ends 30 minutes prior to each market’s closing. Distribution is on a first come, first serve basis. Coupons are only available for Oakland County residents and must be used during the event. No registration necessary.
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