LINCOLN- Opioids are taking a growing toll on Nebraskans while the state struggles to determine how best to utilize millions in settlement payments from purveyors of highly addictive drugs, which began in March 2021. However, the money, which has been earmarked for treatment and prevention efforts, might not be used for that purpose until well into 2024.

Sara Howard, a former state lawmaker who now serves on Nebraska's Opioid Remediation Advisory Committee, called the funding delay "heartbreaking." "The fact that we're going to see another long delay before these dollars can start to get out and be used for their highest purpose, to me, that's really tragic," said Howard during the committee's December meeting.

Nebraska is part of several multistate settlements with 10 opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies, and is set to receive nearly $180 million over the next 18 years. However, many of the proposed uses of the funding issued by the Remediation Committee had to be redone after they had violated the Open Meetings Act.

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