Opioid Settlement Funds Boost Marin County's Overdose Prevention Work

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Marin County will invest millions over the next decade in strategies to reduce deadly overdoses, funded by a settlement with some of the nation's largest pharmaceutical opioid distributors.

Health officials provided an update to the Board of Supervisors this week, which this year will focus on supporting the OD Free Marin coalition. The county will receive $800,000 annually over the next nine years from the settlement, totaling more than $7 million, to pay for expanding community education and overdose prevention programs, along with bolstering mental health, recovery and treatment programs.

Right now, Marin County sees one overdose death every week, and officials said deaths have doubled over the last three years. For residents under 75, health officials said accidental drug overdose is the third most common cause of death in Marin County, behind only cancer and heart disease.

While deaths from prescription painkillers have dropped 300% since 2015 in Marin County, fentanyl is fueling a new surge.

"This money will help us save lives," said Dr. Matt Willis, the county's public health officer. "It hits home. So many of us have a family member, a friend, or a colleague touched by overdose."

Residents can learn about how to receive free Narcan and training, subscribe to the coalition's newsletter, and sign up to be part of an "action team" on OD Free Marin's website.