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Drug companies to pay local governments $5.9m in opioid, fentanyl settlement


Chelan and Douglas county agencies and programs fighting substance use disorder, with a focus on opioid and fentanyl use and addiction, can apply for funds that the counties and the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee received from the national opioid class action settlements.

 

The four governments are issuing a call for projects that may be eligible for funding. Potential grantees must show how the money will be used and how it will benefit local communities.

 

Proposals are due by 4 p.m. on Oct. 11. Proposals must include:

 

  • A detailed description of the project.

  • A detailed description of how the funds will impact opioid/fentanyl abuse, including whether the project impacts Chelan or Douglas counties or the cities of Wenatchee or East Wenatchee.

  • A description of whether this is a multi-year project or effort, or if this funding will be spent only in 2025.

  • The amount of funding requested with a detailed breakdown of proposed expenses.

 

Email project proposals to Jill FitzSimmons of the Chelan County Commissioners Office at Jillm.FitzSimmons@co.chelan.wa.us.

 

After Oct. 11, all proposals will be reviewed. Finalists may have to prepare a presentation for the board of the city or county impacted by the proposed project. 

 

Earlier this year, the Washington State Attorney General’s Office announced the state will receive $371.8 million from five companies that produced or sold opioids. The money will be divided between the state and 125 eligible local governments that signed onto the state’s opioid settlement.

 

Locally, Chelan County will receive $2.9 million, Douglas County will receive $1.5 million, and the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee will receive $1.1 million and $320,644, respectively.

 

Following the state’s announcement, the four entities, joined by Grant County, Moses Lake and Okanogan County, formed the North Central Washington Opioid Abatement Council. The council signed a contract with Carelon Behavioral Health of Boston, Mass. Carelon will manage the distributing and reporting of the opioid settlement funds for the seven participating governments.

 

The dollars will be distributed over the next five years by each individual government, with a call for projects expected to be made annually for the next five years.

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