Critical Update about the Public Reporting of Opioid Settlement Funds
Did you know that state and local governments will receive billions of dollars in opioid settlements from the companies behind the business and epidemic? Kaiser News recently published an investigation of how this money is being spent and how it will be spent in the future. This impressive investigation includes a detailed analysis of hundreds of written plans, statutes, executive orders, and public statements.
Hence, the inquiry’s goal is to ensure that the money ends up in the right places. Indeed, such capital is necessary to raise awareness and stem the tide of opioid overdoses.
In the report, Kaiser News underlines the contributions of Christine Minhee, the top investigator at OpioidSettlementTracker.com. In response, Kaiser News outlines the information in an interactive map and a detailed spreadsheet.
As the primary data source, reports from state and local governments can be found here. Although there is accountability, there is little reporting on what is happening with the funds.
Tarzana Treatment Centers and Opioid Settlement Funds
From the perspective of Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC), the work of Kaiser News is essential. As a substance use disorder treatment provider, we experience the steady tide of fentanyl abuse and prescription painkiller addiction. On the front lines of the opioid crisis, there is no question about the need for funding to stem the crisis.
Thus, TTC is reprinting Kaier’s tips about educating yourself. In a clear and concise fashion, Kaiser News lays out a guide to learn what is happening in your state and how to take positive action.
Kaiser News on How to Investigate Opioid Settlement Funding:
- Use the interactive state map to access information
Find out what information your state or local governments must report about their use of opioid settlement funds by starting with the interactive state map.
Learn the language that underpins these numbers
This language includes the specific laws and legal documents that require reporting on the opioid settlement funding. It helps to examine this table at OpioidSettlementTracker.com.
Access reports about how states are using opioid settlement funds
You will need to reach out and ask for the reports. Hence, it helps to cite the legal requirements in the table above.
No reporting requirement is a story in and of itself.
If your state or local government has no public reporting requirement, there is a story in that lack of transparency. Moreover, why are public funds being veiled? The KHN investigation found that nearly half of all states have no specific reporting requirements.
Check for any reports about the opioid crisis from your state or local government.
Moreover, governments need to submit reports if they use funds for non-opioid purposes. Hence, reports from state and local governments can be found here.
Opening the Door to Opioid Settlement Funding Investigations
With such valuable data, TTC is grateful for the results of the Kaiser News investigation and the directives. Indeed, such data is of immense value moving forward. After all, the opioid settlement funding is for the goal of putting an end to the crisis. Such a goal will not be met if state and local governments divert the opioid settlement funds. Like Kaiser News, TTC understands the importance of ensuring the funds are spent as intended.