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(WTAQ-WLUK) — State health officials submitted their plan on how they will distribute $36 million in opioid settlement funds.
On April 1, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted its plan for the annual share of $750 million of opioid settlement funds to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance (JFC).
As a result of settlements reached by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Wisconsin will receive $36 million this year that will be used to prevent opioid use disorder while supporting successful efforts for harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.
“This is a thoughtful plan built from the advice we received through surveys, listening sessions, and roundtable discussions, as well as reviews of data and already existing programs, and by identifying the needs that still exist,” said Kirsten Johnson, DHS Secretary-designee. “We want to thank our partners, providers, and people with experience with opioid misuse and their family and friends, for sharing their ideas that helped us shape a plan that moves us toward the goal of ending the state’s opioid epidemic.”
$6 million for Wisconsin’s Tribal Nations
$5 million for Community, Education, and After-School Prevention
$5 million for Family Support and Resource Centers
$5 million for Peer Support in Opioid Treatment Programs
$3.5 million for Naloxone
$1 million for Fentanyl Test Strips
$3 million for Capital Projects
$2.5 million for Room and Board for Medicaid members
$1.5 million for EMS Leave Behind Programs
$1 million for Public Health Vending Machines
$1 million for Law Enforcement Grants
$1.5 million for Data Collection and Surveillance System Enhancements
Wisconsin will continue to grant funds for projects from previous settlement plans. For example, DHS is announcing $2.5 million in grants to four Tribal Nations and 53 counties to help about 1,300 Wisconsin Medicaid recipients access residential treatment.
Wisconsin will also start to receive money this year from settlements reached with Teva, Allergan, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS.
Data from 2023 hasn’t been finalized, but 2022 numbers show 1,464 people died of an opioid overdose in Wisconsin and 2,530 emergency room visits because of opioid use. The addition of fentanyl, a powerful, synthetic opioid often added to drugs without the person using the drug knowing, has contributed to many of these deaths.
People interested in learning how to build healthy communities are invited to attend the 2024 Opioids, Stimulants, Trauma Summit May 7-9 in Wisconsin Dells or online. Registration is open through May 7.
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