BEDFORD – Two more organizations received a share of the county’s opioid grant money on Monday mornings at Lawrence County’s Commissioners meeting.
The Salvation Army and the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council Career Development program will receive $30,000 each.
The Salvation Army’s office is in the same building of the Men’s Warming Shelter at 1414 H Street. Their phone number is 812-583-1231. Their funding depends solely upon donations gathered during the Red Kettle Drive held during Christmas. The total collected, minus ministry salaries, administrative expenses, and financing of the Angle Trees, is divided into monthly amounts available to ensure funding for the entire year. The Salvation Army works closely with churches and other agencies to assist as many families as possible with utility, fuel, food, clothing, and other needs.
The Lawrence County Economic Growth Council Career Development program provides high school equivalency diplomas and introduces local jobs and skills to those needing employment. Those needing skills can participate in a Wagler Education welding class at the Career Center, and the organization partners with Vincennes University to provide a Health Sciences class. The opioid funds will allow the organization to provide three ILJAS classes over the next nine months.
Attorney General Todd Rokita reported in July 2021 that Indiana was due to receive $507 million in compensation through a $26 billion settlement involving multiple states seeking damages from pharmaceutical companies Purdue Pharma, creator of the highly addictive OxyContin, and the company’s owners, the Sackler family.
The litigation also sought damages from major distributors Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen. These companies are each credited with the distribution of large quantities of opioid painkillers, which have been linked with addiction and overdose deaths. Johnson & Johnson is also implicated as a manufacturer and marketer.
The terms of the original litigation stipulated that local communities, including Lawrence County, would receive only 15% of the $507 million settlement. The state was due to receive another 15%, with the remaining 70% heading to the Indiana Family Social Services Administration.
Lawrence County received $411,826.51.
Others who received funds include:
