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Date: 5/10/2022
SPRINGFIELD – Mayor Domenic Sarno announced opioid prevention programs funded by the state’s opioid settlement on April 26.
The settlement stems from an investigation into three opioid distributors that shipped thousands of suspicious orders. Johnson and Johnson are also involved in the settlement due to misleading patients and doctors about opioid’s addictive nature, according to the state’s press release.
Attorney General Maura Healey and her team secured $525 million from the settlement, which compensates the state and its communities over the next 18 years. In announcing the secured settlement on April 5, Healey reflected on Massachusetts’ efforts in combating the opioid crisis.
“Massachusetts led the nation in taking on the opioid industry, and we will lead the nation in delivering prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery…Cities and towns across our state worked together to secure more than half a billion dollars, and we are committed to using every dollar to provide the services that families need,” said Healey in the state’s press release.
Sarno shared that Springfield received $7,235,012 as a part of the settlement. The city also issued an independent lawsuit against the pharmaceutical manufacturers in Hampden Superior Court in 2018, but the lawsuit is still pending.
With the awarded funds, Sarno announced a multi-faceted approach to curbing the rise of opioid dependence. The funding will support new equipment and programs for The Department of Health and Human Services, the Fire Department and the Police Department, according to Sarno’s statement.
The planned expenses include a specialized vehicle to enhance opioid related response, the conduction of studies and assessment to identify training needs, the development of a community-wide opioid overdose response plan, the implementation of two full-time response teams and an increase in Narcan training for police officers.
In his statement, Sarno highlighted the difficulties of the opioid crisis.
“The damage inflicted by the opioid crisis to Springfield’s most precious resource, our residents, has been tremendous and will take Herculean efforts from the city, nonprofits, our community partners and stakeholders to repair,” said Sarno.
The mayor reflected on how the awarded funds will further the city’s opioid prevention methods. “I will continue to be steadfast in working with my dedicated city team and all of our community partners and stakeholders to help those in need and secure whatever resources are necessary,” said Sarno.
Health and Human Services Director Helen Caulton-Harris also highlighted the work her office will achieve with the infusion of funds. “We will look at the data, look to expand successful programs, include the community of users and people in recovery to close gaps and increase communication and help identify treatment options and facilitate referrals,” said Caulton-Harris.