NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 1, 2022
CONTACT: Dana Kazel, Communications Manager
218-725-5049 (office) • 218-591-2219 (cell)
County recruits community experts to serve on advisory committee regarding use of opioid lawsuit settlement funds
As a result of the national settlement of a class action lawsuit involving several prescription opioid manufacturers and distributors, the state of Minnesota is estimated to receive $300 million over the next 18 years; and of that, St. Louis County will be receiving the fifth largest local share. To determine how to prioritize use of these funds for most meaningful long-term impact, the County is establishing an advisory committee and is seeking community expert involvement.
Ideal candidates from the public include those with professional and/or lived experience relating to opioids including physicians, pharmacists, families impacted by the opioid epidemic, organizations working in peer support and prevention efforts and the provider community. The Opioid Remediation Advisory Committee also includes appointees from the County Board, as well as staff from Public Health and Human Services, the Sheriff's Office and County Attorney's Office.
The advisory committee will be asked to offer guidance on use of the settlement funds across broad categories including prevention, criminal justice, treatment and recovery, and harm reduction.
The exact amount the County will receive is still being finalized. Under the terms of the settlement, 25% of funds designated for the State of Minnesota will be used by the state, and 75% will be distributed to counties and cities within Minnesota.
"While this will be a significant amount of money for the county, we also know it covers just a fraction of the costs incurred and the damage caused," said County Board Chair Paul McDonald, who called for the creation of the Opioid Remediation Subcommittee at the first Board meeting of 2022. "We need to be strategic in determining how best to invest these funds to help people and communities that have been so devastated by opioids."
Citizens willing to serve on the advisory committee should fill out an application, which can be found online at stlouiscountymn.gov/clerk and clicking on the link to Citizen Advisory Committee. People may request a printed application by calling County Board Clerk Phil Chapman at 218-726-2385.
The Advisory Committee is expected to meet during evening hours. Meetings for the time being will be virtual.
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