Lexington's First Opioid Settlement Payment

On Tuesday, January 31st, Council voted on accepting $2.8 million from the National Opioid Settlement.

This money is being granted as part of the National Opioid Settlement between several US states and pharmaceutical drug manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson, Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen. This is the first of 17 yearly installments that Fayette County will receive, which will in total to $14,332,969.

Commissioner of Social Services Kacy Allen-Bryant told Council that her office will put together a task force of experts in the substance abuse field, as well as those with lived substance abuse experience, to create a process for how to spend this money. Their process recommendations will be sent to Council for revision and approval.