Local Officials Face Scrutiny Over Questionable Spending of Opioid Settlement Funds
Local decision-makers across the U.S. are controlling nearly half of the approximately $60 billion in opioid settlement funds, but concerns are rising over how this money is being spent. A year-long investigation by KFF Health News, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Shatterproof revealed numerous dubious expenditures. While a significant portion of the funds has gone to addiction treatment and recovery, some localities have used the money for unrelated items such as street lighting, Flock cameras, city insurance, vehicle repairs, and even a pickleball court. Recovery advocates and public health researchers are questioning whether county and city officials, often lacking expertise in addiction policy and operating with limited support, are adequately equipped to manage these substantial funds. Unlike state officials who have dedicated health departments, local leaders may be susceptible to aggressive sales tactics and face pressure to balance general government budgets, potentially divert...
