Presentation on Opioid Settlement Funds and Proposed Uses

Presentation to LCAHY Board Meeting

Chief Joseph Babkiewicz

Bluffton Police Department

August 19, 2024

Background

• The Town of Bluffton was part of the opioid settlement that was negotiated with pharmaceutical companies due to the over prescribing and resulting addiction and deaths. 
• This was handled through the State and as a party to the suit, we have a direct allotment of funds held at the State level. 
• These funds ($25,915.25) come with very specific guidelines for their use, and we have been reviewing some options over the last several months. 

Background

The South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund must be used for one or more of the following approved opioid remediation uses. The Core Strategies are given priority and include the following:

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• Naloxone or Other FDA-Approved Drug to Reverse Opioid Overdoses;
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Distribution and Other Opioid-Related Treatment;
• Pregnant and Postpartum Women;
• Expanding Treatment for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS);
• Expansion of Warm Handoff Programs and Recovery Services;
• Treatment for Incarcerated Population;
• Prevention/Education Programs;
• Expanding Syringe Service Programs; and
• Evidence-Based Data Collection and Research Analyzing the Effectiveness of the Abatement Strategies within the State.

Identifying Needs/Use of Funds

• Met with a citizen who has experienced addiction issues and still has friends with addiction issues. She identified several areas that she feels could help with local issues:

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• Access to information for detox/recover/rehabilitation centers.

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• Inability to obtain/purchase Narcan (too expensive for families to purchase).

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• Educating young adults on dangers of opioids in the community.

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• Education for families who have someone addicted to drugs/alcohol.

Matching the Needs with the Grant Criteria

Based on those inputs provided to the Police Department about the needs in our community, we believe a winning grant strategy is to focus on Prevention Programs as our Core Abatement Strategy, specifically the efforts of media campaigns and medical provider education and outreach programs.

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We have identified two community coalition non-profit partners already generating these campaigns and outreach. By providing additional funds from the Town’s allotment of the opioid settlement, we can help amplify these important messages.

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Disbursement of Funds

• Low Country Alliance for Healthy Youth (LCAHY): $10,400.96 for social and traditional media campaigns

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LCAHY provides outreach and education as part of their Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant as administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their social media campaigns create heightened awareness about substance abuse and address misconceptions about such substances. They also run traditional media campaigns to raise awareness of their outreach programs, and host community forums with speakers that provide literature for families to take home. Member partners include schools, media, businesses, parents and youth, substance abuse organizations, local governments, healthcare professionals, religious and civic organizations, and law enforcement.

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Disbursement of Funds

• Beaufort County First Responders Project (BCFRP) ($20,000): for outreach and training programs

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BCFRP is a team of emergency responders, firefighter EMTS, and counselors who make education a key component of their outreach program. BCFRP had made recent presentations on Narcan administration to first responders, schools and support groups. Recent education presentations have been made at the Beaufort County Public Library Bluffton Branch and River Ridge Academy, and BCFRP has a strong presence at youth-centered community events such as the Town of Bluffton Spooktacular trick or treat night. BCFRP issues free NARCAN to those members who have attended their class.

QUESTIONS & �DISCUSSION