06/07/2026
On June 8th, 2026 Marshall County leaders are having a work shop and part of the discussion pertains to the distribution of Opioid Settlement dollars (OSD). This money was part of a national lawsuit where Big Pharma reached a settlement on opioids. This money is not tax payer money. It is part of the settlement agreement and is assigned to states and counties for the prevention, treatment and education of substance use.
Marshall County HOPE is a county program that works with over 35 other groups to provide services to people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). We are a 501(c)3 organization that depends heavily on that funding. The last time MCHOPE received funding from Marshall County was 2023 for $100,715.83. Again, all OSD money, not tax payer money. HOPE was not given any money from the county in 2024 ($100,716.00 allotted) and 2025 ($97,830.12 allotted). The 2026 allotment is $75,536 and three local groups have requested funding. One is a new ministry, one is the local grief center Dustin’s Place and one is Marshall County HOPE.
Indiana created a list of how the funding should be used. The list is titled Exhibit E. It basically consists of several pages of proactive approaches to preventing SUD and prevention of substance use. Nowhere in exhibit E is grief counseling mentioned. While I respect the mission of Dustin’s Place, grief counseling is not a proactive approach to helping people with addictions.
One more topic of concern, SB285 is a new law going into effect on July 1, 2026. This bill will allow authorities to cite/arrest homeless people. Other counties have already shuffled homeless individuals to adjacent counties so they do not have to deal with them. Due to our location, Marshall County will probably be a place where larger counties drop off homeless people. A large majority of these people will have mental challenges and/or issues with substance use. Marshall County has already had one person dropped off at a treatment center from another county.
I suggest that Marshall County officials carefully consider releasing Opioid Settlement Funds and please consider what the intentions were in the legal settlement.
Thank you!
