Osceola County will receive about $12 million over the next 18 years out of a $3 billion state settlement from drug manufacturers and distributors to help curb an opioid crisis the courts say they contributed to.
The county created the Osceola Opioid Task Force to earmark the best use for those funds. It has extended the deadline for community organizations to provide input on how best to battle the crisis locally to Wednesday, Feb. 7. To participate, visit http://bit.ly/OsceolaOpioidSurvey. The survey was originally scheduled to end January 31, 2024.
The Task Force is conducting a survey of community organizations currently fighting opioid misuse to assess which organizations may need more funding to do their work more effectively, or where there may currently be gaps in available services that settlement funds could be used to fill, the county said. The results of the survey will help direct where settlement funds could be allocated in Osceola County.
The task force’s mission to abate the opioid epidemic has three points to its mission:
Data Collection: Gathering comprehensive data about the nature, extent, and specific challenges associated with the Opioid Crisis within Osceola County.
Recommendation Reporting: Actively seek and report recommendations regarding activities that should be implemented to combat the opioid epidemic. A collaborative approach will ensure a multifaceted response to the crisis, incorporating diverse perspectives and expertise.
Strategic Recommendations: With this understanding, the Task Force aims to develop targeted strategies that address the community’s needs. It will make recommendations that will encompass steps, actions, or plans that should be implemented to effectively abate the opioid epidemic, creating a roadmap for coordinated community efforts.
