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Nevada's Attorney General Aaron Ford revealed on Tuesday the programs that will receive funds from a $1.2 billion settlement with firms involved in the opioid crisis, which has led to numerous fatalities. More than 500 people from Clark County in 2024 .
The funds have been directed towards initiatives aimed at young people, including the Boys & Girls Club and Raise the Future, which concentrates on securing lasting placements for kids affected by the opioid crisis.
When Nevadans face hardships, we don’t just sit back idly," Ford stated at a press conference about the settlements. "Instead, we ensure accountability for those responsible for causing such pain. We look for solutions to alleviate their struggles, and we support those individuals within our Nevada community who require assistance.
The lawsuits originated from legal action initiated by Ford in June 2019 against various entities including manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies. By March 2022, he stated that almost all of these cases had been resolved through settlement agreements totaling more than $1.1 billion.
Last week, Ford’s office agreed to another settlement with Purdue Pharma, which will bring in an extra $58 million over the course of ten years, as stated by Ford. However, Mark Krueger, the chief deputy attorney general and consumer counsel, mentioned that various lawsuits against pharmacy benefit managers remain ongoing.
Out of these settled funds, $462.2 million will be allocated to the state’s Fund for a Resilient Nevada, whereas $370 million will be directed towards cities and counties that are parties to the One Nevada Agreement. This intrastate pact comprises various local administrations aiming to finance their respective initiatives related to opioids.
During the press conference, Ford stated that his office does not have the responsibility to decide who gets the funds. He mentioned that this decision falls upon the Department of Health and Human Services.
Funds from the Resilient Nevada initiative will be allocated to support programs aimed at tackling the opioid epidemic. For example, the Frontier Community Coalition was granted $233,000 to enhance mental healthcare services for kids in Nevada’s more remote areas, as mentioned by Ford.
More than $3.8 million from the fund went toward buying mobile recovery units for three eligible services in rural Nevada, according to Ford. Additionally, $750,000 was granted to the Nevada System of Higher Education to examine samples taken from wastewater treatment plants and sewage systems, aiming to collect information about substance abuse patterns.
Financing to locate families for kids
At Raise the Future in Nevada, settlement funds are being utilized to assist children affected by the opioid epidemic in finding homes, as stated by Jessica Roe, the vice president of programs.
She mentioned that the organization is presently searching for placements for 274 children within the state.
While rightful emphasis is placed on treating and recovering adult victims of addiction, we must not overlook the children affected by this crisis," Roe stated on Tuesday. "Without support, these kids risk becoming part of a subsequent wave of addicts.
Elevate the Future in Nevada establishes recovery communities where a skilled adoption specialist employs a "targeted recruitment approach" to link every child with enduring placements, be it through an extended family member or a previous foster caregiver, according to Roe.
The funds from the opioid settlement have been used to increase access to dedicated recruiters, support personnel, and initiatives aimed at finding families for children, which includes reviewing travels and engaging with relatives who might take in the child, according to Roe.
Kids with drug-dependent parents are eight times as prone to addiction as well, according to Roe, referencing the National Institutes on Health. Additionally, youths leaving the foster system sans lasting family ties have an increased risk of encountering issues like homelessness, joblessness, premature and unanticipated parenthood, along with substance misuse.
"When we offer stability and permanence to children impacted by the opioid crisis, we're not only addressing their trauma but also breaking the cycle," Roe stated.
The Boys &Girls Clubs' initiatives aimed at preventing opioid abuse
Andy Bischel, who serves as the president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada, mentioned that their statewide organizations have been awarded funds from the opioid settlements. These funds will support their opioid prevention program known as Smart Moves.
Bischel stated that the objective of the initiative is to enhance knowledge and resilience abilities among 2,900 young individuals aged 10 to 15 across 34 communities annually. Additionally, these clubs equip personnel with the necessary skills to act as first responders during opioid crises and offer support through interventions and preventive measures for both affected families and community members.
The Boys & Girls Clubs boasts more than 270 employees who are certified in recognizing and responding to opioid overdoses at an early stage, and 27 youth centers are equipped with Narcan. Additionally, over 700 families have engaged with local club chapters to gain knowledge on protecting their children from opioid risks, as mentioned by Bischel.
Contact Jessica Hill at jehill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @jess_hillyeah on X.
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