TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Scott Archer, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Opioid settlement funds
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe and Healthy Community; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
summary
Approximately $333 million is coming to Oregon in 18 opioid settlement <https://www.doj.state.or.us/oregon-department-of-justice/office-of-the-attorney-general/spotlight-opioid-abuse/?hilite=opioid+settlement> payments through July 2038. 55% of these funds are distributed directly to cities and counties. Funds are restricted to “Opioid Remediation” to address the opioid addiction crisis with eligible expenditure guidelines limiting use to prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies. The City has received $2,084,743 in Opioid settlement funds through March 2023. Approximately $7,500 has been used to fund supplies for the Fire Department. Including investment earnings there is currently $2,096,650 available for eligible uses. A summary of anticipated future allocations is attached.
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ISSUE:
Information regarding potential use of Opioid Settlement Funds.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
body
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
1. Eligible uses of all settlement funds received are outlined in a list of core strategies and other allowable activities, attached.
2. Funds receipted must be encumbered within five years or be returned to the State of Oregon.
3. Staff recommendation:
a. Help those struggling with addiction who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness, with a fiscal year 2025 (FY25 - July 2024 to June 2025) focus on NE Salem and Wallace Marine Park, but with flexibility to help in all parts of Salem. Employ potentially limited duration Salem Housing Authority Special Projects Outreach Team members for two years, in an amount to be determined in FY25.
b. Fund City of Salem and Salem Housing Authority expenditures consistent with eligible uses, which may include use of approved drugs to reverse opioid overdoses, first responder training/wellness activities, or other eligible uses, in an amount to be determined in FY25;
c. Conduct youth and young adult targeted education, outreach, and intervention with the provision of a coordinator position and associated costs such as materials and small grant funds, in an amount not to exceed $224,000 in FY25.
d. Release the balance of funds to be available for prevention, recovery, and treatment providers pursuant to the list of eligible uses through a grant application process. Eligible applicants may include area counties, hospitals, housing authorities, medical providers, non-profit organizations, and treatment providers. Focus application on City Council priorities within eligible uses, to existing programs and services, with a limit to the total number of grants available to maximize impact and reduce administrative tasks. Release amounts to be determined.
e. With all expenditures, ensure funds are:
i. supporting activities not eligible for insurance or other funding,
ii. prioritizing populations disproportionately impacted,
iii. helping existing programs and services which can strengthen sustainability at these locations, and
iv. expended with urgency.
BACKGROUND:
According to the Oregon Health Authority <https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVENTIONWELLNESS/SUBSTANCEUSE/OPIOIDS/Pages/index.aspx>, Oregon, like the rest of the US, is experiencing an opioid crisis, involving misuse, abuse, overdose and death. Opioids include prescription painkillers and illicit drugs, such as heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. The types of drugs that most commonly cause overdose in Oregon have changed significantly in recent years. While the state has made notable progress in reducing misuse and overdoses related to prescription opioids, there have been significant increases in overdoses from fentanyl and from non-opioid drugs such as methamphetamine, which are often mixed with opioids. Nearly half of opioid-related overdose deaths in Oregon involve more than one drug and/or alcohol.
In 2020, the risk for unintentional drug overdose death was highest among people who are non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Black, male, and people experiencing houselessness. Data from 2020 also indicates that mental illness and substance use disorder are common among people who die from unintentional overdose, yet few of these individuals were receiving treatment for mental health, substance use problems or substance abuse.
Gretchen Bennett
Homelessness Liaison,
Human Rights Manager
Attachments:
1. Eligible Uses
2. Summary of Opioid Settlement Funds Received
3. Substance Use Prevention and Intervention Coordinator Position
4. Marion County Use Data
5. Polk County Use Data