ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking various professionals, advocates and members of the general public interested in serving on the County’s newly-established Opioid Restitution Fund Commission. Certain board members are needed that may have professional or administrative training or personal experience with substance use disorders. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 19, 2024.
“Opioid manufacturers are being held accountable for the crisis they created in our community,” said Ball. “Now that we have been awarded millions as part of our settlement with some opioid manufacturers, we must be thoughtful in making sure that money is used efficiently and wisely to serve our community, save lives and prevent future opioid misuse.”
Comprised of 11 members, the Commission must include:
- four members who shall be either an individual or the family members of an individual with an opioid use disorder;
- four advocates or substance use disorder professionals that provide education, treatment, or prevention services;
- two certified peer recovery specialists; and
- one student representative under the age of 19 at the time of their appointment.
Board members serve staggered three-year terms and are responsible for reviewing and providing recommendations about the use of settlement and grant funds related to addressing opioid use disorders.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be a Howard County resident, meet one of the required qualifications, and be able to attend quarterly Commission meetings held on a day and time agreed upon by the Commissioners. Meetings may be held in the evening in person or virtually via Webex.
Interested applicants should complete an application online by visiting www.howardcountymd.gov/applybc and selecting “Opioid Restitution Fund Commission” in the form. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the County Executive for consideration. If approved, the appointment will be forwarded to the County Council for confirmation. For any questions regarding the application process, please email ApplyBC@howardcountymd.gov.
This Commission replaces the previous Opioid Collaborative Community Council to help plan for settlement funds awarded from opioid manufacturers. National litigation against opioid manufactures began in December 2017 and Howard County filed its own lawsuit in May 2019. States and their subdivisions reached a settlement agreement with the defendants in February 2022. As a result of that settlement, Howard County received approximately $230,000 in December 2022, and is expected to receive $12.3 million over the next 15-to-20 years. The settlement payments will be deposited into an Opioid Abatement Fund established by the County.
For more information about the Opioid Restitution Fund Commission, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/boards-
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