Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry has put forth a proposal requesting the City Council distribute over $1.2 million in federal Opioid Settlement Funds to a variety of local organizations aimed at addressing the opioid crisis. The funds are intended to support efforts that tackle substance abuse and mental health issues across the community.
The six organizations Mayor Terry seeks to fund include the YMCA, Evansville Rescue Mission, Vanderburgh County Mental Health Court, and the Women’s Hospital, with the largest allocations set aside for the Evansville Police Department and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. These funds will be used to address opioid addiction, homelessness, and individuals within the criminal justice system.
Mayor Terry emphasized the significance of the funding, saying, “We see real opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives, especially in vulnerable populations such as the homeless and those involved in the justice system.” The committee that reviewed the requests for these funds was clear in their belief that these allocations would yield significant benefits for the community.
One group notably absent from the funding list was the Evansville Recovery Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals in recovery. Their exclusion sparked disappointment among their supporters, who voiced their concerns on Mayor Terry's Facebook page. The lack of funding for this group has drawn criticism, with advocates arguing that their work is critical to combatting opioid addiction in the city.
A significant portion of the proposed funding is earmarked for law enforcement, with the Evansville Police Department and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office being the largest beneficiaries. These funds are reportedly intended to bolster initiatives within these departments, though there are concerns about how the money will be used.
Local resident and community commentator, Colbert, attended a recent City Council meeting and voiced his concerns about the funding. According to Colbert, a representative from the Evansville Police Department indicated that part of the funds may be used to cover overtime pay for officers, raising questions about whether the funds are being allocated in line with their intended purpose of drug rehabilitation and prevention.
“This feels like creative financing,” Colbert said. “These resources are supposed to be set aside for drug rehab efforts, but instead, they’re being used to offset police budget shortfalls. We need to look at whether funds from unnecessary DEI programs could be redirected toward law enforcement budgets, while reserving the opioid settlement money for its actual purpose—helping those struggling with addiction.”
The Evansville City Council is expected to discuss the proposed allocations at their upcoming meeting on September 23rd, where community members will have the chance to provide input. Colbert and other residents plan to attend to voice their concerns and advocate for a more transparent and accountable use of the opioid settlement funds.
“This is our government, and it’s important that we take part in ensuring that these funds go where they are needed most,” Colbert added. “We encourage residents to join us at the next City Council meeting to help guide the appropriate use of these funds.”
The allocation of these funds represents a critical decision for the city, and as the opioid crisis continues to ravage communities across the country, how these resources are utilized will have long-lasting effects on Evansville’s efforts to combat addiction and support recovery.
Stay tuned as the discussion unfolds, and local residents make their voices heard on this pressing issue.
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