TRI-COUNTY — Relief for folks suffering from opioid abuse could be on its way to the Big Bend in the form of cash payouts from the state of Texas. The Big Bend Regional Hospital District (BBRHD) announced at its April board meeting that the entity would be creating an “opioid abatement fund” to be used for substance abuse treatment, prevention and education.
Over the past few years, companies like CVS and Walgreens have settled massive lawsuits over the role in what these suits allege is a role in the opioid epidemic. The state of Texas has set up a special division of the comptroller’s office to figure out how best to distribute funds from these lawsuits to benefit Texans impacted by these drugs and their marketing.
BBRHD is set to receive an initial payment of $75,000 for Presidio County and around $56,000 for Brewster County. The board will have to come together to create programs that fit within the state’s specifications, but stocking local law enforcement with Narcan — the drug used to reverse an opioid overdose — and partnering with El Paso-based recovery organization Aliviane were named as potential places to start. “We’re excited to have this money and we’re going to put it to good use,” said Executive Director Lynette Brehm.
