An advisory committee tasked with how to spend millions of dollars in opioid settlement money got to hear from members of the community this week on how best to do so to combat addiction across Fall River.
Fall River is slated to receive close to $8 million over 15 years as part of a nationwide settlement against the makers and distributors of prescription opioids. Massachusetts is receiving $900 million, 40% of which is allocated to local communities.
Those in attendance at the meeting were concerned citizens or those who work in the care of those battling addiction. City resident Al Araujo has been in recovery for 40 years and has been completely clean for 17. He said Fall River should be receiving more than $8 million based on the high rate of addiction within the city. He hopes that services to those who are seeking treatment can be expanded.
Stephanie Perry is an addiction outreach nurse for Southcoast Health. She is interested in broadening the discussion within the community to identify areas of need before any money is spent.
The advisory committee has released a request for proposals for organizations to devise expanded or new programs that will fit the criteria to receiving some of the opioid settlement funds. The deadline to apply is June 16.
Video courtesy of Fall River Government Television
