PRESS RELEASE
in approving A plan to allocate $31 million Wisconsin will receive in calendar year 2022 as part of the nationwide opioid settlements was approved by State Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) and her Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) colleagues.
The Republican legislature modified the original plan submitted by the Department of Health Services (DHS) to include important stakeholders missing from the first plan.
“After speaking with folks like law enforcement officers, local health care clinics, county officials and the Boys and Girls Clubs, it was apparent there were areas in the DHS plan that needed to be included,” said Ballweg. “These are the people already doing good work in preventing and responding to this crisis. I am pleased that the JFC unanimously agreed that this improved plan will immediately make a difference in our local communities and across the state.”
Areas updated in the plan include a grant program for law enforcement so they can provide training on medication-assisted treatment education, improve community drug disposal programs, support diversion and deflection strategies and more. Additionally, it allocates dollars to Boys and Girls Clubs to address root causes of substance abuse and builds on successful programs implemented through the HOPE Agenda in past sessions.
Other investments included in this plan will help:
• Expand the Narcan Direct Program.
• Establish and fund a program to distribute fentanyl testing strips.
• Build out facilities that provide inpatient treatment, specifically to support treatment for pregnant and postpartum mothers struggling with opioid use.
• Improve the overdose central alert system and funding can be used to upgrade the prescription drug monitoring program.
As part of the National Prescription Opiate Litigation, local governments and nearly every U.S. state will receive funds from one manufacturer and three distributors that were cited to have contributed to the opioid epidemic. The $31 million plan approved today is just the first allocation in the approximately $410.7 million the state expects to receive over the next nearly 20 years.
What does this mean for local governments in Waupaca County?
“The state portion of the settlement funds are grant based. It would be up to local county governments and organizations to proactively request and submit applications for available dollars,” Ballweg indicated. “Both the local government and capital projects sections have language directing some of the funding toward areas that are more rural.
“The way the proceeds are directed, the state is set to receive 30 percent of the total settlement, and 70 percent is payable to local governments who were parties in the opiate litigation,” Ballweg explained. “Many counties have set up teams to advise where they would like to see their local funding directed. I would advise anyone who is interested to also contact their local government to see how much money they will be receiving and if they have identified any priorities for this funding.”
To reach Sen. Ballweg with questions or comments please call (608) 266-0751 or email Sen.Ballweg@legis.wi.gov.