Bridge Lunch Break to discuss Michigan spending of opioid settlement

Lunch Break on Feb. 28 to discuss how Michigan can and should spend its opioid settlement money
The epidemic has killed thousands of Michigan residents, and the money is supposed to help with treatment
But questions are arising about transparency and whether officials are moving with urgency to provide help

Bridge Michigan invites readers to a free Zoom discussion from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 28 about Michigan’s drug crisis and how local governments are using the money received from opioid settlements.

The crisis has killed thousands of Michiganders, and $1.5 billion is coming the state’s way over the next 18 years as part of a landmark lawsuit settlement with manufacturers and distributors of the drugs.

Nearly 50% of the money is going to local governments, and many in the treatment and recovery industry have questioned whether officials are moving with the urgency and transparency required to address the situation.

Guest panelists will include Amy Dolinky, technical adviser of opioid settlement funds at the Michigan Association of Counties, Cara Anne Poland, associate professor at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine and Jonathan Stoltman, director of Opioid Policy Institute. Bridge reporters Robin Erb and Ron French will moderate the discussion.

Participants can ask questions of our panelists via the Zoom chat feature throughout the event. Pull up a chair, grab your lunch and join us for this interactive discussion.

Please fill out our Lunch Break registration form to be sent a calendar invitation to the event, including the Zoom link. This registration form also includes an opportunity to submit questions for our reporters.

Bridge’s Lunch Break monthly series focuses on timely topics facing our state. Previous events have discussed the Democrats’ first year in the legislative majority, solutions to gun violence in Michigan, Michigan’s population crisis, youth mental health in Michigan and the legacy of the automotive industry on the state’s environment and economy.

Related:

How to join this live Zoom discussion

To be invited to participate in this hour-long discussion, please complete this form. We will send you the link via a Google Calendar invitation to your email inbox. You can also pre-submit your questions to our team on this form.

To learn more about how to join a Zoom meeting, watch this short video. Zoom is free to use, and you can use the video call function on your computer, tablet or phone, or you can call into the meeting using the conference line function.

Member support allows us to offer engagement opportunities like this Lunch Break series. To regularly receive advance notification of what our nonprofit newsroom is planning and receive member-exclusive benefits — such as free Bridge event tickets, copies of our bimonthly Bridge Culture Club selections and more — become a Bridge Club member today.

We look forward to talking with you on Feb. 28.

About these stories

Michigan is set to receive $1.5 billion from a national settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors. Bridge Michigan interviewed more than four dozen experts, community leaders and researchers. Many expressed worries that Michigan has not set up enough oversight of how the money is being spent.

As opioid deaths mount, Michigan governments sit on millions for intervention

Michigan won’t know how $725M is spent on opioid help. Other states do it better

See how much your Michigan community will get in opioid settlement funds

Michigan opioid cash sparks feeding frenzy of vendors, seeking cut of $1.5B

Has the opioid crisis hit your family? We seek Michigan stories

Get help

For help with opioid abuse, call the SAMSHA National Hotline, a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year, treatment referral hotline. 1-800-662-HELP (4357)