Opioid Settlement

Beginning in 2014, lawsuits were issued against pharmacies and pharmaceutical drug companies for their role in fueling the opioid crisis. Local and state governments incurred significant costs due to the crisis. In 2021, a nationwide settlement of approximately $26 billion was agreed upon to resolve all opioid litigation with companies deemed as contributors to the opioid crisis across the country.

As a result of the settlement, Michigan and local governments will receive payments from these entities. Oakland County is currently estimated to receive approximately $35 million over the next two decades.

How can settlement funds be used?

Overall, the focus is on creating a comprehensive approach that not only addresses immediate challenges, but also addresses underlying factors that contribute to the crisis.

Opioid Settlement Spending Principles are:

• Spend money to save lives
• Use evidence to guide spending
• Invent in youth prevention
• Focus on racial equity
• Develop a fair and transparent process to decide where to spend funding

Under settlement guidance, funds can be used to combat challenges of the opioid crisis by supporting prevention initiatives, harm reduction efforts, increased access to treatment, and expanded recovery services.

What is the Oakland County Opioid Settlement Steering Committee?

The steering committee brings together key stakeholders to collaboratively assess the community's needs related to overdose in Oakland County. Its primary purpose is to develop a strategic plan for the equitable distribution of opioid settlement funds, ensuring that resources effectively address local challenges. In addition, the steering committee stays informed on recommendations to reduce future opioid deaths by Oakland County's Overdose Fatality Review team.

View the list of Steering Committee Members

Steering Committee Ex-Officio Members

• Barb Hankey, Director of Oakland County Public Services
• Leigh-Anne Stafford, Director of Oakland County Health and Human Services
• Madiha Tariq, Oakland County Deputy County Executive

Steering Committee Support Members

• Carrie Hribar, Oakland County Health & Human Services Chief
• Kaitlin Schwarz, Oakland County Health & Human Services Epidemiologist

Community Feedback

In September 2023, Oakland County conducted 8 listening sessions held at community locations across the county. Harm reduction clients were interviewed, and an electronic survey was shared with community partners. Participants were asked to rank evidence-based strategies to address the opioid crisis.

Top five strategies:

1. Treatment for people in jails and prisons
2. Expansion of warm hand-off and recovery services
3. Staffing and infrastructure
4. Expansion of harm reduction
5. Opioid use disorder prevention programs

Existing community resources across the categories of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery were identified and mapped from listening sessions. This helped identify where gaps exist, and underutilized resources.

Additional Info