Opinion | Tackle Michigan's opioid crisis with careful planning, not quick spending

Opioid settlement funds have provided governments a historic ― and new ― opportunity to address the impacts of the opioid crisis and broader drug overdose crisis. Recent news coverage, however, has centered all too much on advocates criticizing local governments for the speed with which dollars are being spent. 

In 2022 alone, Michigan lost 2,998 people to overdoses, and another 30,000 made overdose-related trips to emergency rooms. Drug overdose does not wound our communities equally. Overdose fatalities impact Black (61 per 100,000) and American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian (32 per 100,000) communities far more than white Michiganders (26 per 100,000).

But it is crucial that the understandable urge to “DO SOMETHING!” in the face of such human suffering does not overwhelm the responsibility public servants have to act prudently. Quick spending often fails to address the deeper, systemic issues at the heart of the crisis and does not provide space for meaningful community inclusion and assessment of existing data. Investments in effective and sustainable solutions require careful planning. 

Some examples of the diligence now being done by Michigan’s 83 counties:

• Berrien County passed multiple resolutions to establish a clearly defined process, including a steering committee and request for proposals review and oversight committee. Community stakeholders were engaged in this process and a request for proposals was developed and released to the public for organizations seeking funding. 
• Eaton County offered all community members an opportunity to take part in community-based and countywide strategic planning to assist in identifying the overall landscape and pressing needs. 
• Ogemaw and surrounding counties are currently engaged in a collaborative community assessment process to better understand county-specific and regional needs.
• Monroe County, Barry County, Kent County and others have engaged local coalitions and task forces to build on and share strategies and recommendations for priority areas for funding.

Many counties have created opioid settlement steering committees, composed of local experts with personal and professional experience in the field, aimed at providing recommendations to the county boards of commissioners on priorities and how best to utilize funds. About 1 in 5 counties have developed, and many more are developing, a public-facing website to share about processes and expenditures, ensuring those in the public have access to information and potential access to funds. Many counties successfully deploying funds have developed processes to ensure community inclusion, transparency and thoughtful planning for the duration of the time in which settlements will be paid out.

These funds require balancing understanding the urgency of the drug overdose crisis with thoughtful planning. While it is important to provide immediate relief to those impacted by the crisis, it is equally important to invest in the future health and well-being of our communities. This requires a thoughtful approach, one that prioritizes comprehensive planning, community engagement, and accountability.

Navigating this entirely new responsibility requires county governments to build on existing local expertise, seeking guidance from those most impacted, public health professionals and community leaders. As stewards of these funds, county leaders are trying to honor the lives lost and the communities harmed by ensuring these funds are used effectively.