“Controversy Surrounds County’s Allocation of Opioid Settlement Funds for Ice Rink Instead of Narcan Kits”
Nestled in the heart of Appalachia, a Kentucky county grappling with the long-standing impact of the opioid crisis has raised eyebrows by using $15,000 of its opioid settlement money to build an ice rink. This move has sparked intrigue and debate as many question how a recreational facility addresses addiction or fulfills the intended purpose of remediating the harms caused by opioids.
Carter County, like numerous other local jurisdictions across the country, is poised to receive over $1 million in settlement funds from pharmaceutical companies implicated in the overdose crisis. While county officials and supporters of the ice rink argue that providing drug-free recreational opportunities for youth is a valid use of the money, critics like Brittany Herrington, a former opioid addict turned advocate for recovery, find the decision disheartening.
Herrington, who experienced addiction firsthand during the height of the opioid influx in her community, now dedicates her efforts to helping others in recovery. She questions how ice-skating can equip young individuals with the necessary tools to navigate recovery and address the complex issues surrounding addiction.
Local advocates echo Herrington’s sentiments, emphasizing that the community faces urgent needs that the settlement funds were specifically intended to address. With Carter County’s overdose death rate consistently exceeding state and national averages, the diversion of funds to projects like the ice rink raises concerns about prioritization and effectiveness.
While some jurisdictions have utilized similar settlement funds for initiatives directly supporting individuals with addiction, such as training community health workers or providing transportation for recovery-related activities, Carter County’s decision to invest in leisure activities has drawn criticism for potentially missing the mark on addressing the root causes of the opioid crisis.
As the debate continues, it underscores the importance of ensuring that funds dedicated to combating addiction are utilized in ways that align with the pressing needs of the community and effectively support individuals on the path to recovery.
In Michigan, a community service center building purchased a sign for nearly $10,000, while in Robeson County, North Carolina, a toy robot ambulance was bought for about the same amount. Settlement agreements typically include national guidelines on how the funds should be utilized for treatment, recovery, and prevention efforts. However, oversight is lacking and interpretations of the guidelines vary.
A Kentucky law suggests over two dozen potential ways to use the funds, such as providing addiction treatment in jail and educating the public on opioid disposal. Despite this, there is a lack of oversight and room for broad interpretation. Carter County magistrates Chris Huddle and Harley Rayburn believe that using settlement funds for an ice rink is a valid use, based on input from Reneé Parsons, the executive director of the Business Cultivation Foundation. Parsons aims to combat issues like poverty and addiction through economic development in northeastern Kentucky.
Parsons has assisted multiple local organizations in applying for settlement funds, with the ice rink proposal being brought to county leaders on behalf of Grayson’s tourism commission. The rink, built in downtown Grayson, hosted fundraisers for youth clubs and sports teams during the holiday season to foster family connections and healing. Another investment using opioid settlement funds was made to expand music and theater programs in a community center, aligning with the principles of the Icelandic prevention model adopted in the region.
The Icelandic model focuses on creating a supportive environment for young people without drugs, emphasizing activities like music classes, theater shows, and ice-skating. It requires collaboration among various stakeholders and rigorous data collection to prevent substance use effectively. Nearby Franklin County in Kentucky has implemented the Icelandic model through the Just Say Yes program, supported by the CDC and opioid settlement funds.
While Carter County’s initiatives align with aspects of the Icelandic model, researcher Jennifer Carroll suggests that comprehensive implementation is essential for achieving similar successful outcomes. Carroll emphasizes the importance of aligning strategies with the model to address substance use effectively.
Settlement funds earmarked for youth-focused prevention initiatives should be utilized thoughtfully and strategically to maximize their impact. “Pulling apart different elements, at best, is usually going to waste your money and, at worst, can be counterproductive or even harmful,” emphasized a community member. Reflecting on a decision to allocate settlement funds towards a local skating rink, a Carter County magistrate expressed regret. Millard Cordle shared his sentiment with KFF Health News, stating that observing the rink’s limited appeal to older youth and rural communities made him realize it was “a mistake.” He advocates for redirecting such funds towards initiatives that combat drug abuse, provide treatment, and offer job training to uplift the community. “We all learn as we go along,” he remarked optimistically, underscoring the potential impact settlement funds can have in addressing societal challenges.
By 2024, Carter County had received a substantial sum of over $630,000 in opioid settlement funds, with projections indicating further disbursements exceeding $1.5 million over the next decade. However, the extent to which these funds have been utilized remains unclear, with only partial information available, notably mentioning allocations for an ice rink and a community arts center. As questions loom over the accountability and oversight of such expenditures, Kentucky’s Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, holding sway over a significant portion of the state’s settlement funds, has refrained from commenting on specific cases like the skating rink controversy.
To provide greater transparency and accountability, the Commission recently resolved to implement a more detailed reporting mechanism for local governments, aiming to shed light on the utilization of funds and ensure alignment with established guidelines. This move is seen as a positive step by advocates like John Bowman, a dedicated member of the national nonprofit Dream.org, who works on criminal justice reform. Bowman, drawing from his firsthand experiences with individuals grappling with substance use disorders, urges officials to prioritize funding for essential services such as treatment, housing assistance, and transportation support. He stresses the importance of leveraging settlement funds effectively to address systemic issues plaguing communities and improve access to vital resources for those in need. “Let’s use this money for what it’s for,” Bowman asserts, advocating for a purpose-driven approach in harnessing settlement funds to drive positive social change.
