$159K Opioid Settlement Awarded To Long Valley Officials

LONG VALLEY, NJ — In an effort to address the ongoing opioid crisis, a national opioid settlement has been awarded to Long Valley in the amount of $159,003.

The settlement was reached following ongoing litigation over the drug industry's contribution to the opioid overdose crisis, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked to more than 900,000 deaths since 1999.

A resolution was recently passed in Long Valley amending the 2022 Municipal Budget to include the full settlement amount as a revenue.

The resolution was in response to earlier Committee action that approved taking part in a settlement agreement regarding the State of New Jersey's legal action against three significant pharmaceutical distributors and one opioid manufacturer.

New Jersey will receive $300 million from opioid settlements through the year 2038 as per the agreement. Long Valley will receive $159,003, which can be put toward regional opioid education initiatives.

According to the terms of the settlement, each state must devote at least 70 percent of its portion to opioid remediation in the future.

The permitted uses of funds include addressing the needs of those involved in the criminal justice system, providing harm-reduction services, preventing overdose deaths and promoting pertinent research and education.

According to CDC data for 2021, there were an estimated 80,816 opioid overdose deaths nationwide, which is an increase from an estimated 70,029 in 2020. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl and psychostimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine also increased.

“The overdose crisis continues to claim too many lives and wreak havoc on families and communities,” said Human Services Assistant Commissioner Valerie Mielke, who directs the Department’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

A total of 96 overdose deaths in Morris County in 2020 have been confirmed to be the result of the use of drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines and ethanol.

To assist in managing this national crisis, county-wide initiatives have been implemented. Hope for Morris County One mobile recovery access vehicle travels throughout Morris County twice a week, providing services to those in need. A Sheriff's officer, a licensed clinician and a certified peer recovery specialist who understands the needs of those suffering from addiction staff the vehicle.

The Hope One team will provide free Narcan training and kits, substance use and mental health counseling, and even transportation to detox and rehab facilities in areas known for overdoses, homeless populations, and hand-to-hand drug transactions.

The van stops in Long Valley every couple of weeks, but its full schedule can be found here.