City Distributes $100K to UL for Opioid Crisis Research

[CajunFun]

Opioid Health Crisis Response

The state of Louisiana has reached an agreement with pharmaceutical distributors and producers as part of the national opioid settlement. Lafayette Parish will receive funds from this settlement through the Opioid Abatement Task Force. The City-Parish Government is allocating $434,576 from these funds to support opioid remediation efforts.

https://www.katc.com/lafayette-paris...ouncil-meeting

[RedTails]

Opioid Health Crisis Response

The state of Louisiana has reached an agreement with pharmaceutical distributors and producers as part of the national opioid settlement. Lafayette Parish will receive funds from this settlement through the Opioid Abatement Task Force. The City-Parish Government is allocating $434,576 from these funds to support opioid remediation efforts.

https://www.katc.com/lafayette-paris...ouncil-meeting

The City-Parish Government is allocating $434,576 from these funds to support opioid remediation efforts. Of this, $333,900 will go to the 15th Judicial District Court for operating expenses related to opioid abatement, while $100,676 will be directed to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for a study on the impact of the opioid crisis on the local criminal justice system.

I'm tired of the black hole of "studies" when it comes to funds. Would much rather the 100k go towards local homeless shelters or local abuse centers.

[cajunfan96]

I'm tired of the black hole of "studies" when it comes to funds. Would much rather the 100k go towards local homeless shelters or local abuse centers.

Yep, that's 100k down the toilet!

[CajunT]

I'm tired of the black hole of "studies" when it comes to funds. Would much rather the 100k go towards local homeless shelters or local abuse centers.

Exactly! Is this the role of local city government with many other needs? While it sounds great on it's face, it takes away funds that were available for existing needs today.

[ZoomZoom]

It’s kinda simple research. Get data from law enforcement and the coroner’s office in the geographic area of study. Sure law enforcement has extrapolated this every year.

Money could be used elsewhere, like a homeless encampment.

Better yet, the viscous cycle of coming out of rehab and living in a sober/clean living home and making all the mandatory meetings and obligations to satisfy the system is an utter nightmare. That’s a system designed to keep people struggling to do the right thing stuck in the system. Rental assistance would be a difference maker. Of course parameters would be needed.

[RaginCajun77]

Full disclosure, I'm a licensed addiction counselor. I read this news blurb about Opioid Crisis research, and I shook my head in disgust. Spending $100,000 dollars on the impact of the opioid crisis on the criminal justice system is fruitless. We've had an opioid crisis dating back to the days of fraudulent pain management clinics. Fentanyl is the focus today, but the real focus needs to be on improving treatment quality and options. Today, people seeking treatment flow in and out of addiction treatment programs that are subpar and are more focused on census numbers and reimbursement rather than helping people recover. It's time to make investments in housing and structured long-term treatment to make an impact. Unfortunately, we probably need long-term research to arrive to that conclusion.

[ZoomZoom]

Full disclosure, I'm a licensed addiction counselor. I read this news blurb about Opioid Crisis research, and I shook my head in disgust. Spending $100,000 dollars on the impact of the opioid crisis on the criminal justice system is fruitless. We've had an opioid crisis dating back to the days of fraudulent pain management clinics. Fentanyl is the focus today, but the real focus needs to be on improving treatment quality and options. Today, people seeking treatment flow in and out of addiction treatment programs that are subpar and are more focused on census numbers and reimbursement rather than helping people recover. It's time to make investments in housing and structured long-term treatment to make an impact. Unfortunately, we probably need long-term research to arrive to that conclusion.

Think we met in the 90’s when AOC opened.

Unfortunately, you are spot on. Seen this from the consumer side for a very long time until 10 months ago. Unfortunately, a poor choice ended the journey.

Goes back to my mantra. Follow the money.

Hug your kids tonight if you can.

[RaginCajun77]

Follow the money.

That sums up the problem. I saw a lot of lives lost due to overdose over the years. I have to wonder how many lives could have been saved if money was better spent.

[ZoomZoom]

That sums up the problem. I saw a lot of lives lost due to overdose over the years. I have to wonder how many lives could have been saved if money was better spent.

Mistyped where we crossed paths. ARC downtown when the building opened. Still there or moved on?

Transportation is the second biggest issue.

[RaginCajun77]

Mistyped where we crossed paths. ARC downtown when the building opened. Still there or moved on?

Transportation is the second biggest issue.

Started at ARC in 2001, moved on, ARC became a football that government decided to kick around.

Agree transportation is a problem for many, especially when it comes to getting to treatment appointments. I watched as many struggled because public transportation wasn't reliable.