A three-month investigation by Bridge Michigan has revealed that only 28% of the $156 million received by Michigan counties and municipalities so far as part of nationwide opioid settlement agreements has been budgeted or spent.
Opioids in Michigan
Posted inMichigan Government
Mike Rogers vows to fight drug war, but urged opioid access in Congress
Mike Rogers advocated for policies to increase opioid prescriptions as the national addiction crisis unfolded. Now running for U.S. Senate, Rogers blames doctors and a lack of federal enforcement.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan’s newest weapon in addiction fight runs on gas and four wheels
The state has money for drug treatment and recovery services. Now, it’s helping people get to those clinics.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Some opioid settlement funds may sit untouched in Michigan. Here’s why
Proposed payouts in Kroger opioid settlement money vary from over $2 million for Wayne County — to $10.39 for Union Charter Township. The latest calculations reveal the complexity of what seems a windfall for the state in tackling the drug crisis.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Northern Michigan fights drugs with jobs. Can it work statewide?
A new program has success targeting twin crises: The worker shortage and opioid crisis, challenging old notions about the reliability of in-recovery workers. The state is paying attention.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
In Michigan’s vast UP, finding help for drugs is hard. So is finding solutions
Millions of dollars are coming to help the Upper Peninsula combat opioid addiction, but finding consensus among county governments to pool resources is difficult.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
After years of opioids agony, rural Michigan finds reason for hope
While still inadequate in many communities, addiction services are on the rise, thanks in part to an influx of millions of dollars in opioid settlement funds.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Non-opioid alternatives must be affordable to combat addiction
Lawmakers must begin considering how to make these potentially lifesaving remedies affordable and accessible to the patients who need them.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Frustration, accusations in tense meeting about Michigan opioid funds
Several members of the Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission said addiction shouldn’t be partisan, but that politics are shutting them out of spending discussions.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
As crisis rages, Michigan speeds up opioid spending in new budget
The state will pump close to $50 million into addiction services next year from opioid settlement funds. It’s a big increase over current spending.