Opioid overdose — two words that have stained our community with pain and grief. With the distribution of some of the remaining Opioid Settlement Funds, there is still hope. 

Thousands upon thousands of the dollars set aside for this very epidemic are finally being utilized. This is certainly a step in the right direction, as whether we like it or not, this epidemic has been characterizing our community in relation to the rest of the state. No amount of tourism and economic growth for our healthy citizens helps our most in need if there is nothing allocated toward them. Thankfully, with this extra boost, we just might see more.

The Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster saw a massive increase in funding for their Too Good for Drugs school-based prevention initiative and for other necessary services, totaling nearly $350 thousand dollars. While others received substantial amounts, this organization stands out from the rest with the sheer amount given to them. 

Because of this, the community will continue to lean on their services and schooling to help in the push to end opioid overdose and addiction in our area — and we wish them all the best in their fight to help others.

Of course, while the distribution of these monies is a good start, there is still some left in the bank. With $400 thousand of the $1.4 million already spent, and a ceiling of only $772 thousand to be distributed with the recent resolution, that leaves a good chunk remaining.

Despite that, a major amount has been utilized as they should be. Thank you to the Legislators who have put forward the monies that are most desperately needed in our region. 

We hope that the Legislature keeps this in the forefront of their minds moving forward. If there is only one thing that this money can go towards (ending the opioid epidemic) then we must use our resources as we have them. It doesn’t have to be tomorrow, but we cannot forget about those who suffer from the disease of addiction in our own neighborhoods while we have potentially life-saving funding awaiting their assistance.