$19.7M Goes To Chester County To Combat Opioid Crisis

WEST CHESTER, PA —Chester County will receive $19.7 million over 18 years as part of Pennsylvania’s $1 billion settlement with Johnson & Johnson and three pharmaceutical distributors, county commissioners said Wednesday.

The commissioners unveiled plans on how the money will be allocated during a meeting Wednesday to recognize National Recovery Month throughout September.

The first two payments will be disbursed in 2022.

Pennsylvania’s allocation is part of a national $26 billion agreement to resolve about 4,000 lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and three pharmaceutical distributors.

Marian Moskowitz, commissioner chairwoman, said the presentation lays the groundwork for a multi-pronged approach to address the opioid epidemic that has led to death and devastation for families across our region.

In 2021, Chester County lost 109 people due to drug overdoses.

“For the sake of all in our county who have lost their lives, or are still battling substance use disorder, we vow to use these funds to help us continue – and expand – services and supports, addressing the current crisis while implementing important mitigation and prevention strategies for the future,” Moskowitz said.

Opioid Plan

In anticipation of those payments, Vince Brown, executive director of the Chester County Department of Drug & Alcohol Services, provided a long-term strategy.

The draft strategy includes approaches to maximize the settlement funds, while reaching the county’s diverse population through a set of programs, supports, and services intended to:

• Treat opioid use disorder;
• Support people in treatment and recovey;
• Connect people who need help to appropriate services;

• Address the needs of individuals involved within the criminal justice system;
• Address the needs of pregnant or parenting women and babies with neonatal abstinence syndrom;
• Prevent misuse of opioids, overdose deaths and other harm;
• Safely manage medication;
• Collaborate with local emergency service providers and county or community-based organizations;
• Provide training opportunities and encourage workforce development strategies.

Commissioner Josh Maxwell thanked Brown and his staff for their diligence, dedication and desire to fight this epidemic with every weapon possible.

“This crisis knows no bounds, but with the funds from the opioid lawsuit we can provide even greater opportunities for substance use intervention, treatment, and recovery services – made possible by developing a plan that responds to our community needs,” Maxwell said.

Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline said this epidemic has left an indelible mark on individuals and families in the county, noting that no amount of money compensates for the loss of life caused by opioid addiction.

"While we are already working hard to combat the opioid epidemic in many ways, we can use the settlement funds to significantly reduce the devastation,” Kichline said.

Two ongoing programs

Through the effective actions of the Chester County Overdose Prevention Task Force, the county has developed one of the most comprehensive anti-opioid initiatives in the state, officials said.

• COPE program: a 24/7 warm handoff service that helps individuals who have suffered an overdose transition from the emergency room to treatment.
• Chester County Color 5K, an annual that event raises awareness of the crisis and has contributed more than $200,000 towards the COPE program.