Law Enforcement Agencies Awarded Grants from State Opioid Settlement Funds
Funded projects focus on prevention, intervention, and treatment activities
Twelve Tribal nations, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies have received grants from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) for projects to prevent and reduce the dangers of opioid use. The projects include community drug disposal systems; programs that keep people with an opioid use disorder out of jail; education and training for staff on the medications for opioid use disorder, including how the medications are used as part of a treatment program; and treatment for jail residents with an opioid use disorder.
“The projects funded by these grants will save lives,” said DHS Secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson. “We’re pleased to partner with these law enforcement agencies to support efforts to address the health and safety needs of their communities.”
This grant program is part of the DHS plan to use the state’s share of the National Prescription Opiate Litigation settlement with opioid distributors and manufacturers negotiated in part by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Wisconsin is due to receive more than $750 million through 2038, with 30 percent of the funds to be used for state government projects managed by DHS with approval of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance. The remainder of the funds are for local needs as identified by the county and municipal governments that participated in the litigation.
Three million dollars of the $31 million received by DHS in 2022 was set aside for law enforcement agencies. All Wisconsin law enforcement agencies were invited to apply for funding. Six communities shared about $1.1 million of this funding last fall. Today’s announcement of nearly $1.9 million in grants completes the distribution of these funds.
“Law enforcement agencies are a key part of the fight against the opioid epidemic—not only through enforcement efforts, but also through prevention and intervention,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “These investments are great examples of how the funds that DOJ has helped to secure are enhancing the work being done to address substance use disorder.”
The grant recipients are listed below.
- The Ashland County Sheriff’s Department received $228,152 to treat jail residents with an opioid use disorder.
- The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office received $1,000 to support community drug disposal systems.
- The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received $425,352 to educate and train staff on the medications for opioid use disorder, including how the medications are used as part of a treatment program, to keep people with an opioid use disorder out of jail, and to treat jail residents with an opioid use disorder.
- The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department received $5,000 to support community drug disposal systems.
- The Madison Police Department received $183,511 for programs to keep people with an opioid use disorder out of jail.
- The Menominee Tribal Police Department received $14,000 to support community drug disposal programs and to educate and train staff on the medications for opioid use disorder, including how the medications are used as part of a treatment program.
- The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office received $15,000 to support community drug disposal programs and to educate and train staff on the medications for opioid use disorder, including how the medications are used as part of a treatment program.
- The Racine County Sheriff’s Office received $400,000 to treat jail residents with an opioid use disorder.
- The Rhinelander Police Department received $22,676 for programs to keep people with an opioid use disorder out of jail.
- The Rock County Sheriff’s Office received $328,676 to educate and train staff on the medications for opioid use disorder, including how the medications are used as part of a treatment program, and to treat jail residents with an opioid use disorder.
- The Shawano County Sheriff’s Office received $5,000 to support community drug disposal systems.
- The Sparta Police Department received $250,000 for programs to keep people with an opioid use disorder out of jail.
These are one-time grants with funding available through March 31, 2025.
[inarticlead ad=”UM-In-Article-2″The projects funded by this grant program align with the goals of the national opioid settlement funds agreement. The goals require the funding to be used for prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support services.
Law enforcement officials and others interested in learning strategies to build healthy communities are invited to attend the 2024 Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit May 7-9 in the Wisconsin Dells and online. Registration is open through May 7.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- Baldwin Backed Legislation to Crack Down on Fentanyl Traffickers Heads to President’s Desk - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Apr 24th, 2024
- Legislature Stalls Opioid Settlement Funds. Again - Erik Gunn - Apr 23rd, 2024
- Milwaukee Bucks Legend Marques Johnson Joins Forces with Serenity Inns to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Milwaukee - Serenity Inns - Apr 23rd, 2024
- Law Enforcement Agencies Awarded Grants from State Opioid Settlement Funds - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Apr 18th, 2024
- MKE County: County Wins Award for Opioid Settlement Fund Usage - Graham Kilmer - Apr 4th, 2024
- MKE County: County Offering $2.8 Million For Opioid Addiction Programs - Graham Kilmer - Mar 28th, 2024
- Senator Baldwin Calls on House to Pass Bill that Cracks Down on Fentanyl Traffickers - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Feb 15th, 2024
- Attorney General Josh Kaul announces $350 million settlement with marketing firm over its role in opioid epidemic - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Feb 1st, 2024
- Grants Will Fund Recovery Housing For Those Facing Homelessness and Battling Opioids - Margaret Faust - Jan 12th, 2024
- Baldwin Helps Advance Bipartisan Bill to Address Opioid and Fentanyl Crisis - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Dec 14th, 2023
Read more about Opioid Crisis here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Wisconsin Department of Health Services
DHS Confirms Case of Measles in Dane County
Apr 26th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesHealth officials investigating to identify possible exposures
Salmonella Infections Linked to Fresh Basil Sold in Wisconsin
Apr 18th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesOne person in Wisconsin has become sick
Law Enforcement Agencies Awarded Grants from State Opioid Settlement Funds
Apr 18th, 2024 by Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesFunded projects focus on prevention, intervention, and treatment activities