The Marshall County Commissioners discussed opioid settlement funding when they met Monday morning with the Marshall County HOPE organization and the Drug Task Force.
Marshall County HOPE representatives, Marshall County Health Administrator Sandy Dunfee and Tobacco Education Coordinator Annette Haining, went before the commissioners in April to request the restricted opioid funds to continue the work initiated by Project HOPE which focuses on substance abuse prevention and recovery.
Coordinator Thomas Kinnaird appeared before the commissioners to discuss what the restricted opioid funding would be used for in the organization. Kinnaird said continued funding will support peer recovery coaches and transportation services with Marshall County Council on Aging. Since October 2020, 273 people have been served through the peer recovery coach services which is free because of the funding committed by government agencies with opioid funds. Since May 2021, there have been 2,295 rides given to individuals in recovery who otherwise cannot get to work or appointments due to license issues.
Funding has also gone toward other prevention items.
County Attorney Jim Clevenger commented the commissioners approved restricted funds for Marshall County HOPE and there should be a Memorandum of Understanding or other sub-recipient agreement in place to make sure the funds are being used for the purpose.
Commissioner Kevin Overmyer asked if funding can be used for the Drug Task Force when it comes to mitigating the source of the substance abuse problem.
“I think our DTF [Drug Task Force] is back up and running again. I think this opioid – if we can keep it from coming into the county and get these people arrested before it gets distributed I think we would be helping the DTF,” said Overmyer.
Clevenger did not think the restricted funds could be used for law enforcement purposes, but the unrestricted funds could be used for that purpose. Kinnaird stressed that the restricted funds are to be used for prevention, treatment and education.
The commissioners asked Clevenger to draft an agreement with Thomas Kinnaird to be considered at the next meeting May 20.
In the same vein, Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman and Marshall County Detective Sergeant Jonathan Bryant were before the commissioners Monday morning who asked to screen requests for the appropriate use of the Opioid Settlement funds.
Bryant said funds are needed for the Drug Task Force to aid in the fight against opioid and drug abuse.
“Up until now, a lot of our equipment that we use – recording devices, cameras – they are, at the very least, six years old. So, the technology is breaking down and we’re having problems even getting support from the manufacturers to replace or repair our equipment. Initially, it was all purchased under a grant. To date, we’ve never come before the commissioners or any council asking for funding. There is no municipality within the county that funds the Drug Task Force. There’s no recurring fund. There’s no line item. That being said, with our aging equipment, we are in need of assistance.”
The cost to upgrade covert equipment is estimated at $17,091.99, according to Bryant. Beyond that, Bryant said more funds are needed for buy money. Over $26,000 can be spent in purchasing illegal narcotics in buys a year, but a lot of that is not recovered due to various circumstances in an investigation.
Bryant said $80,000 for buy funds and the equipment could be used by the Drug Task Force and asked for the long-term investment for the organization.
Beyond narcotics, Bryant noted that the Drug Task Force is also instrumental in other types of investigations including homicides.
Commissioner Michael Burroughs made a motion to support the purchase of the requested equipment through the American Rescue Plan Act Funds up to $20,000. The motion was approved to support the purchase, and the request will be brought before the Marshall County American Rescue Plan Act Subcommittee. That meeting is set for Thursday, May 9 at 8:30 a.m. ET in the second floor meeting room (Room 203) in the Marshall County Building at 112 W. Jefferson Street in Plymouth. If the subcommittee approves the purchase, the Marshall County Council will take up the request during their meeting Thursday, May 9 at 6 p.m. ET. The money will be available, if approved, as the commissioners approved a motion to pre-pay the cost with a unanimous vote.
