Kent County is set to receive more than $19 million through 2038 as part of the settlement agreements. To date, Kent County has received nearly $4.7 million.
The opioid settlement is a result of a national lawsuit against opioid drug manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies to combat the harm from the opioid epidemic.
In 2023, 93 Kent County residents died from drug overdoses – 68% of those involved opioids.
The average age of opioid deaths was 44.4 years with 80 percent of those being males and 20% females.
The Kent County Opioid Task Force led studies and recommended strategies to the Board.
The approved plan recommends funding be allocated to prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery and related services.
Those plans specify increasing funds for jail-based treatment programs to reduce the high rate of overdose after release, improving access to fentanyl test trips and Narcan, and broaden prevention education for middle and high school students among other measures.
The initial plan also outlines the framework for future spending.
For more information on the Opioid Settlement Spending Plan and ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis in Kent County, visit the KCHD's website.
