Red Lake County Opioid Settlement Funds

In July 2021, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office joined the historic $26 billion multi-state settlement agreements with pharmaceutical distributors McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen, and opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. These settlements will bring more than $300 million into Minnesota over the next 18 years to fight the opioid crisis. 

Red Lake County County's expected portion of the settlement is $199,493.00 (spread over 18 years) Opioid Settlement Payment Amounts

Red Lake County is committed to reducing the negative impacts associated with opioid use by convening key sectors on a taskforce. The Opioid Settlement taskforce will guide the spending of National Opioid Settlement dollars to save lives and prevent further damage.

• For more detailed background on the multi-district litigation (MDL), visit the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office – Fighting the Opioid Epidemic
• Minnesota opioid related data can be found on Minnesota Department of Health’s opioid dashboard. The dashboard contains detailed information on overdose deaths, opioid-related hospital visits, the number of opioid prescriptions dispensed, the prevalence of substance use disorder, and more. 
• According to the Minnesota Opioids State-Subdivision Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the Public Health departments shall serve as the lead agency and Chief Strategist to identify, collaborate, and respond to local issues as Local Governments decide how to leverage and disburse Opioid Settlement Funds. In their role as Chief Strategist, public health departments will:
• Convene multi-sector meetings
• Lead efforts that build upon local efforts like Community Health Assessments and Community Health Improvement Plans
• Foster community focused and collaborative evidence-informed approaches that prevent and address addiction across the areas of public health, human services, and public safety. 
• Consult with municipalities located within their county in the development of any Community Health Assessment
• Collaborate with law enforcement agencies in the county where appropriate.
• The Opioid Funding taskforce serves to advise the Red Lake County Board of Commissioners as to how to most effectively, efficiently, and equitably spend the Opioid Settlement funds awarded.
• The taskforce is focused on opioid use prevention, education and supporting the needs of the community.
• Projects and Programs the taskforce has been working on:

•   $4000 was allocated to EMS
•   $2000 was allocated for safe syringe disposal from the Sheriff’s office
•   Planning for convening a panel discussion and education session in the fall.
•   Funds allocated to Public Health to support a portion of the Health Educator position focusing on substance use prevention activities and projects, focusing mainly on youth, but also anyone in the community.