MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ – Thursday was International Overdose Awareness Day and the County opened a new portal to seek public input on how to spend settlement money.
Class action lawsuits were brought by states and local political subdivisions against opioid manufacturer Janssen and the country’s three largest pharmaceutical opioid distributors – McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen.
Middlesex County will receive a portion of New Jersey’s more than $641 million settlement amount to use in the fight against the opioid epidemic.
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The County is now encouraging all residents impacted by the opioid crisis to provide input on the use of settlement funds that the County will receive for the next 18 years. To this end the county has launched a portal.
This portal will be open for public suggestions and ideas periodically for the duration of this settlement funding.
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This funding will continue for 18 years and must be used to help individuals and communities impacted by the opioid epidemic through treatment, prevention, harm reduction, workforce development, and education, etc.
The Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners formed the Middlesex County Opioid Settlement Advisory Council earlier this year. The Office of Human Services is leading and overseeing the Middlesex County opioid settlement efforts.
In addition to the recommendations and guidance from the Middlesex County Opioid Settlement Advisory Council, public input will be crucial in how these funds should be and will be applied towards effective programming.
Residents with an idea or a suggestion that could impact the opioid crisis are encouraged to share their thoughts.
The public comment portal opened on Aug. 31 and remain open for 60 days ― closing on Oct. 31.
To access the online input form, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/opioidinput
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