Hawaii Plans To Use Opioid Settlement For Hilo Detox Center

Introduction

The Mayor of Hawaii County announced that the county will get $489,000 in opioid settlement monies this year and slightly more than $100,000 per year following that until 2038.

In accordance with a $26 billion federal settlement with many drug producers and distributors, the state will get $81.4 million over the course of 18 years.

A methodology that took into consideration the state's population and the effects of the opioid crisis was used to determine Hawaii's share. The Big Island will strive to guarantee that it obtains an additional share of the settlement monies the state receives, according to the mayor, who noted that the first sum granted to Hawaii County won't go very far. It has already requested an additional $2 million, he claimed.

The mayor said that if there was more money available, the first thing to do would be to start the island's first detox center. The government and the Big Island Substance Abuse Council are thinking about renovating a space in Hilo across from the courthouse for that usage. Given recent depressing numbers, there is a definite need for a detox center on the Big Island.

Federal statistics show that fentanyl overdoses account for the majority of drug overdose deaths on the Big Island, which occur once every 11 days. One person in Hawaii overdosed on drugs every 27 hours in 2022, totaling 320 fatalities. According to the Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, that is an increase from 305 in 2021 and 266 in 2020.

In Hawaii, the problem is considerably more widespread than the number of deadly overdoses suggests because there are around 14 non-fatal overdoses for every fatal one, according to specialists.

According to the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force, Hawaii Island is home to various high-end, exclusive programs geared to persons on the mainland with the financial means to join.

Most Big Islanders of average means—as well as those who are homeless, don't have houses, or don't have health insurance—are directed to Oahu or the mainland for detox.

Due to insurance and transportation concerns, responsibilities to their families and jobs, waiting lists, and other obstacles, many people choose not to attend. According to the task team, rehabilitation is either delayed or impossible without access to detox.

The task force's initiatives in the areas of education and prevention, such as trainings, school presentations, community fairs, and yearly conferences, will receive some of the monies made public. The task team also prioritizes expanding treatment options and early intervention. 15% of the $81.4 million that Hawaii would get as part of the settlement will go to the counties, leaving 85% with the state.

A $3.1 billion settlement with Walmart over claims that the store contributed to the opioid epidemic by improperly monitoring the distribution of opioids at its pharmacies was announced in November by the attorney general of Hawaii. How much Hawaii will receive has not been made publicly known by the attorney general.

Over the next 20 years, companies that produced, sold, or distributed opioids will pay more than $50 billion in settlements to states, counties, and cities.

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