Opioid settlement funds up for local debate

As state officials and the mayors of South Dakotas two largest cities look at how to best use national opioid settlement dollars to expand treatment options, counties are now being asked to decide if they want a share of those funds and how theyd use them.
Moody County States Attorney Paul Lewis told county commissioners this past week that hed been contacted about potential county use of settlement funds. Each county is entitled to a portion of the agreement, with about 30% of the states $79 million settlement going to local governments over the next 18 years. Thats roughly $23.7 million statewide. Smaller counties could receive tens of thousands, while larger counties such as Minnehaha and Pennington may see hundreds of thousands.
The amount Moody County may receive however, remains unknown.
Attorney General Marty Jackley, along with the mayors of Sioux Falls and Rapid City, recently announced plans to strengthen addiction and recovery programs and consider the creation of new ones. But questions remain over how the money is being distributed.
Locally, Moody County has not yet determined how any dollars might be used. Counties however have to consider initiatives that would directly impact community safety and recovery resources areas often stretched thin in rural communities.
Options could include funding for prevention education, support for local law enforcement or first responders, or partnerships with regional treatment providers.
State law enacted in 2022 directs that opioid funds can only be used for purposes relating to opioid abuse treatment, prevention, and recovery programs.