Hawaii County will receive $489,000 in the Opioid Reconciliation Fund this year and just over $100,000 each year through 2038, Mayor Mitch Ross announced Thursday.
The state has received $81.4 million over 18 years as part of the policy. $26 billion national settlement Ross said it has partnerships with multiple pharmaceutical companies and distributors. Hawaii’s share was set by a formula that considered the population and the impact of the opioid crisis on the state.
Although the initial amount allocated to the county of Hawaii is modest, Ross said he will work to ensure that the island of Hawaii receives a portion of the settlement money the state receives. Another $2 million has already been demanded.
According to the mayor, with more funding, the first task is to open the island’s first detox facility.administration and Big Island Substance Abuse Council We are looking into a location across from the courthouse in Hilo that could be refurbished for that purpose.
“If your family has a drug overdose or drug addiction, where would you go to get them detoxed? Probably not in prison,” Ross, the former prosecutor, said at a press conference later in the day.
Considering the recent grim statistics, the need for detox facilities on the Big Island of Hawaii is clear.
A drug overdose kills one person every 11 days on the Big Island, with fentanyl reportedly being the leading cause. federal data. A total of 320 people died from drug overdoses in Hawaii in 2022, one every 27 hours. That’s up from 305 in 2021 and 266 in 2020, according to the company. Hawaii drug trafficking hotspot.
With about 14 non-fatal overdoses for every fatal overdose, experts say, the scope of Hawaii’s problem is much wider than the fatality numbers suggest.
The Big Island of Hawaii has several high-end, exclusive programs aimed at mainlanders who can afford to attend, according to the report. Island of Hawaii Fentanyl Special Committee.
Big Island residents of average means, or those living in poverty or without a home or medical insurance, are commonly referred to Oahu or the mainland for detox.
Many people do not go due to insurance or transportation issues, family or work obligations, waiting lists, or other delays. Lack of access to detox delays or hinders recovery, according to the task force.
A portion of the funds announced Thursday will support the task force’s education and prevention efforts, including training, school presentations, community fairs and annual conferences. The Task Force will also focus on increasing early intervention and treatment services.
“This funding today changes the direction of what we can do as a community to prevent, treat and promote recovery from addiction,” said Dr. Kevin Kunz, a member of the Task Force. . “They are good people with bad diseases.”
Of the $81.4 million that will flow into Hawaii from the settlement, 85% will remain in the state and 15% will go to the counties.
Ross’ executive assistant Tim Hansen said he expects Hawaii County to receive $2.2 million over the 18 years over which the Opioid Reconciliation Fund will be distributed.
In November, the Hawaii Attorney General ruled that the state would seek a $3.1 billion settlement with Walmart over allegations that Walmart contributed to the opioid epidemic by failing to properly oversee the distribution of opioids at pharmacies. announced that it was part of The attorney general has not officially said how much Hawaii will receive.
The attorney general’s office did not respond to a request for comment late Thursday afternoon.
The Department of Health is the state agency responsible for receiving and distributing opioid settlement funds. John Valera, deputy administrator of the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, who also chairs the Hawaiian Opioid Reconciliation Advisory Committee, was not immediately available for comment.
The companies that manufacture, market and distribute opioids are reportedly paying states, counties and cities more than $50 billion in settlements over the next 20 years. KFF Health News.
Former Gov. David Ige said last year that by 2022 there will be more drug overdose deaths than road traffic deaths in the state.
Learn more about our plans to use the Hawaii Opioid Reconciliation Fund here.