Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Receive a presentation on HHSA's proposed Opioid Settlement Funds Utilization Strategic Framework for the disbursement of Opioid Settlement funds in El Dorado County; and
2) Provide direction to staff on the proposed Framework as follows:
a) Accept HHSA’s Strategic Framework of approach as presented; or
b) Recommend changes to the Strategic Framework before HHSA moves forward with the ongoing procurements for opioid remediation in the County; or
c) Provide alternative direction to HHSA for the use of these funds.
FUNDING: Funding is settlement money disbursed to California counties and other involved parties from manufacturers, distributors, and other entities related to the opioid epidemic.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The opioid overdose epidemic is a major public health crisis that has impacted nearly every region and demographic group in the United States (US). According to research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of drug overdose deaths increased more than 16% from 2020 to 2021, with CDC reporting that 75% of the nearly 107,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021 involved an opioid. While the rise in opioid deaths can be attributed to more than one factor, CDC determined that the increased prescription of opioids directly contributed to increased overdose deaths involving prescription opioids.
Consequently, state, local, and tribal governments brought lawsuits against pharmaceutical and drug distribution alleging drug manufacturers and distributors improperly marketed and distributed opioids across the US, leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Beginning in 2021, lawsuits were settled for large amounts, with the funding settlements to provide substantial funds to county and city governments for the abatement of the opioid epidemic. These settlements were awarded at up to $26 billion in total, in which the State of Califo...
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