Illinois is set to receive as much as $760-million to fight the opioid epidemic.
The money will come over the next 18 years, the product of lawsuit settlements with pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers. Governor JB Pritzker is signing an executive order to ensure the funds go towards the state’s efforts battling opioid abuse.
“This executive order establishes an office of Opioid Settlement Administration, and cements a framework for making the best use of these new resources.”
Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou explains what those services will include.
“The majority of the settlement funds will be used to support prevention and recovery from opioid addiction and this may include an array of services of programs, including but not limited to, medication assisted recovery, prevention efforts, education, increased access to Narcan treatment programs.”
Nearly 8 people in Illinois die each day from an opioid overdose.
