Weld County Receives $8.8m For Opioid Crisis

Weld County Receives $8.8m For Opioid Crisis

Introduction

The Weld County Health Department is one of the recipients of a recent national landmark settlement involving prescription opioid manufacturers and distributors.

The funding will be channeled into prevention programs aimed at reducing the high number of deaths associated with opioids in the county. Approximately one person per week loses their life due to opioid-related issues and overdoses.

Weld County's Department of Public Health, in conjunction with a regional opioid abatement county, will be allocated $8.8 million to combat the ongoing epidemic that has had a profound impact locally. These funds will be directed to organizations that can support the efforts of local health officials in preventing harm from opioid abuse.

The regional council director and chairman view this as a significant opportunity to address the opioid crisis at the grassroots level and encourage all eligible organizations to apply for these funds. The regional council, comprised 14 members, including elected officials, law enforcement personnel, public health experts, human services professionals, and others, will determine how to allocate the millions of dollars over the next 18 years. This funding is part of a larger $520 million settlement, and it's not the first time such settlement money has been directed to local government initiatives; a similar settlement took place in 2019.

The regional council's focus is on seeking proposals from local organizations with programs that emphasize recovery, treatment, prevention, and education to save lives. They aim to address three key areas: opioid use prevention, treatment, and education. This initiative is in response to a crisis, with 53 Weld County residents losing their lives to opioid prescription and other overdoses in 2022 alone, which equates to approximately one death per week. Over the past decade, the state has reported around 6,000 overdose deaths.

Applications are open to non-profit organizations, community-based groups, healthcare institutions, and schools. However, applicants must align with one of the three focus areas: prevention, education, or treatment related to opioid drug use, according to the regional council director. The application deadline is October 11, and the initial funding starts at approximately $30,000.

While the opioid award will increase the health department's budget, it's important to note that these funds will be reinvested directly into the community, as explained by the chairman. The county has currently funded only one full-time position: a health educator responsible for coordinating the efforts of the opioid council and collaborating with schools and community groups on drug use prevention.