Officials from Marshall County HOPE appeared before the Bremen Town Council members Monday, April 22 to ask for the town’s opioid restricted funds.
The opioid funds are distributed by the state as a result of a multi-district, federal litigation against the manufacturers and distributors of highly addictive prescription medications in 2018. Funds will be distributed until 2038. Restricted funds are to only be used for substance abuse treatment and mitigation. Unrestricted funds can be used for anything the municipality wants to fund.
Marshall County Health Administrator Sandy Dunfee, who is part of the Marshall County HOPE consortium, presented the request to the council members where she asked for the opioid settlement funds to continue the goals of the consortium to assist those seeking substance abuse treatment. The retention of peer recovery coaches and transportation needs have been identified as immediate funding priorities.
Clerk-Treasurer Janet Anglemyer said the town previously pledged both the restricted and the unrestricted funds. Currently, there is $10,000 in the Unrestricted Fund and $22,000 in the Restricted Fund.
Bremen Town Council member Alex Mikel asked for what the funds can be used to which Anglemyer pointed to an ordinance that outlines those requirements. As an example, they discussed using the unrestricted funds for police training.
Council President Michael Leman thought it might be best for the council to talk about options during their budget discussions which are anticipated to start in the next couple of months. The council agreed to take up that request at that time.
