Dallas County allocates $3 million to combat opioid crisis following $31 million lawsuit settlement
Dallas, Texas – Dallas County is intensifying its fight against the opioid problem by exploring grant distribution of up to $3 million to local nonprofit organizations committed to address this growing public health concern. This project results from a sizeable $31 million settlement amount obtained from a lawsuit against Purdue Pharmaceuticals and other players engaged in the opioid business.
If accepted, the funding will concentrate on supplying required supplies and tools as well as on offering basic services including preventive and treatment programs. This money seeks to help the vital efforts of NGOs in tackling the complexity of opioid addiction within the community.
Read also: Texas launches LIHEAP to assist with summer cooling expenses for low-income Texans
Commissioner John Wiley Price highlighted how urgently strong financing is needed to properly support these groups.
“In my opinion, you’re talking three quarters to $1 million. You’re talking about two years, 500,000,” Price said as reported by KERA News. “This is a difficult population, and so you don’t get a chance to breeze by them. It’s going to take a lot of work. We’ve got to do this right.”
Read also: Fireworks bust in Fort Worth nets 700 pounds of illegal pyrotechnics
Several groups who have already sent their submissions to the county could be among the possible grant recipients. Among them are Assured Heart Foundation, Dallas County MHMR Metrocare Services, Homeward Bound, Inc., Southwestern Medical Foundation, Nexus Recovery Center Incorporated, and Youth 180. These organizations showed their dedication to address the opioid crisis by means of several strategies by attending a recent virtual conference to talk about their ideas.
The decision regarding the distribution of the grants is expected by the end of summer. Over two years, each approved nonprofit might get up to $500,000. With a separate $16.5 million already planned to be distributed throughout state health organizations and departments over time, this financing is a component of the bigger pool of opioid settlement money Texas has collected.
Read also: Grapevine to welcome new phase of the luxury Brownstones townhomes amid urban revitalization
This outcome follows last week’s Supreme Court ruling rejecting Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy proposal, therefore shielding the business from upcoming opioid-related litigation. This ruling emphasizes the continuous legal and societal conflicts around the opioid crisis in the United States and the need of continuous support for individuals leading front lines of this public health issue.
