Idaho Behavioral Health Council seeks feedback on how to spend millions in opioid settlement funds

The Idaho Behavioral Health Council is seeking public input on how to spend opioid settlement funds.

The Idaho Behavioral Health Council recommends to Gov. Brad Little and the Idaho Legislature how to spend the state’s 40% share of opioid settlement funds, the council said in a news release. Idaho estimates receiving $2 million each year for the state’s portion of the opioid settlement, which is 40% of Idaho’s total expected $127.8 million in opioid settlement funds, as of last year. 

The rest of Idaho’s opioid settlement funds go toward cities, counties and health districts.

People can submit proposed spending priorities by May 15 to [email protected]. The council plans to set spending priorities at a June 14 meeting, the news release said. 

Examples of ways Idaho can spend the funds are available online. An opinion last year from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office said that settlement funds spent in recovery centers must go toward people who have issues with opioids, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.