Opioid Settlement Funds Information

About the Opioid Abatement Funds

Allowable Use of Funds

State Subdivision Agreement & Statewide Abatement Strategies
https://www.mass.gov/doc/massachusetts-abatement-terms/download

All funding must be used to supplement and strengthen resources for prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Support People in Treatment & Recovery
Connections to Care
Harm Reduction
Address The Needs of Criminal-Justice-Involved Persons
Support Pregnant or Parenting Women and their Families, including Babies with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Prevent Misuse of Opioids and Implement Prevention Education

Additional State of Massachusetts Resources and Information

March 2023 Massachusetts Statewide Opioid Settlement Funds Virtual Forum PowerPoint Presentation
https://www.mass.gov/doc/ma-statement-opioid-settlement-funds-forum/download

FAQ from the AG’s Office on Opioid Settlements
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-ags-statewide-opioid-settlements

Guidance for Municipalities Utilizing Opioid Settlement Abatement Payments
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/guidance-for-municipalities-utilizing-opioid-settlement-abatement-payments#regional-community-engagement-assistance-

Guidelines for Expenditure of Municipal Opioid Settlement Recoveries –
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/guidance-for-municipalities-utilizing-opioid-settlement-abatement-payments#guidelines-for-expenditure-of-municipal-opioid-settlement-recoveries-

Shared Services - Cross-jurisdictional sharing of public health services –
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/shared-services

Statewide Settlement Agreements and Related Court Filings -
https://www.mass.gov/lists/ags-statewide-settlement-agreements-and-related-court-filings

Town of Rockland Opioid Abatement Funds Plan FY2026

Working Group Members:

Police Chief, Nicholas Zeoli; Fire Chief, Scott Duffey; Rockland Public Schools Representative, Freea Leahy; Recreation Department Director, Jeanne Blaney; Public Health Nurse, Kathi Ryan, Public Health Agent, Delshaune Flipp; Sargaent Brian Mcdonald; Lt. Steve Somers; Assistant Town Administrator, Courtney Bjorgaard; Human Resources Director, Lori Turenchalk.

Process:

4 working group meetings
various 1-1 meetings with departments who interface with Opioid Use
Outreach to other municipalities
Participation in MMA and other seminars/webinars on the subject
CARE Massachusetts

Working Group Meeting Dates:
October 17, 2024; January 9, 2025; March 18, 2025; June 11, 2025

Current Town of Rockland Balance of Funds:
$357,580.55

Proposed & Approved Use of Funds (voted on at ATM May 2025)

Community Engagement with surveys and small focus group to determine gaps in Rockland service
Support of existing non-profit entities that are engaged in this important work
Support for a Mental Health /Co-Responder Position in the Rockland Police Department

Total approved funding for FY2026:
$160,000