SEO-Optimized Headlines

• Michigan Opioid Deaths Fall Sharply as Lawmakers Question Settlement Fund Spending
• State Officials Report Progress in Opioid Crisis While Counties Lag on Funding Use
• Michigan House Panel Raises Concerns Over Unspent Opioid Settlement Dollars
• Lawmakers Seek Better Coordination in Michigan’s Opioid Response Efforts
• Michigan Projects Fewer Than 1,800 Opioid Deaths as Funding Oversight Intensifies

The Lead Off

• Michigan lawmakers questioned why only 18% of local opioid settlement funds have been spent.
• State officials reported opioid overdose deaths have dropped significantly since 2021.
• The Michigan Opioid Task Force acknowledged coordination challenges between state and local efforts and pledged additional outreach.

LANSING, MI. (WOWO) Michigan lawmakers are pressing for greater coordination in the fight against opioid addiction as overdose deaths continue to decline statewide, while concerns grow over how local governments are spending millions of dollars from opioid settlement agreements.

Members of the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Medicaid and Behavioral Health questioned state officials Tuesday about the pace of spending and whether state and local programs funded through opioid settlements are duplicating efforts.

Lawmakers scrutinize opioid settlement spending

The hearing focused on the use of opioid settlement dollars resulting from national agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors according to Bridge Michigan.

State officials told lawmakers that Michigan counties, cities, and townships had received approximately $214 million in settlement funding as of mid-December. However, lawmakers noted that local governments have spent only about 18% of those funds.

State Rep. Greg VanWoerkom, R-Norton Shores, questioned whether taxpayers are receiving the full benefit of the funding if state and local initiatives overlap.

“If a county already has a robust program, and then you’re coming over top of it — if there’s no coordination there, are those dollars then well spent?” VanWoerkom asked during the committee hearing.

Overdose deaths continue downward trend

Despite concerns about spending and coordination, state officials highlighted continued progress in reducing opioid-related deaths.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the state is projected to record fewer than 1,800 opioid overdose deaths in 2025. By comparison, Michigan recorded 3,096 overdose deaths in 2021, with opioids responsible for the majority of fatalities.

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said the decline reflects years of prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.

“The decline in overdose deaths represents real progress and reflects the impact of sustained, data-driven investments of opioid settlement dollars across Michigan,” Hertel said in a statement released Tuesday.

State officials acknowledge communication gaps

Thomas Stallworth III, a senior advisor with MDHHS and the administration’s liaison to the Michigan Opioid Task Force, acknowledged lawmakers’ concerns about coordination.

“To a degree, that coordination doesn’t exist,” Stallworth said.

He said the state works to avoid duplicating local efforts but admitted communication challenges remain between state agencies and some local governments.

“To a degree, people aren’t interested in doing this work with us,” Stallworth told lawmakers. “There’s not a lot we can do about that, other than continue to invite them.”

Billions in future funding remain available

Michigan is expected to receive approximately $1.8 billion in opioid settlement payments through 2040.

The funding is intended to support addiction treatment, prevention initiatives, recovery services, harm reduction programs, and efforts to reduce overdose deaths.

While the state provides guidance and recommendations, local governments maintain authority over how their settlement dollars are spent.

State launches outreach efforts

To improve coordination, state officials said they have partnered with the Michigan Association of Counties to facilitate meetings with county and municipal leaders.

The meetings are designed to help communities understand state priorities, identify service gaps, and maximize the impact of settlement funding.

“Not only are we just here, we’re actually reaching out to them,” Stallworth said. “There are regular meetings with county representatives — county and municipal representatives — to the degree they want to participate.”

The Takeaway

Opioid deaths continue to decline

Michigan is projected to see fewer than 1,800 opioid overdose deaths in 2025, a significant decrease from the more than 3,000 deaths recorded in 2021.

Local spending remains a concern

Lawmakers expressed concern that counties, cities, and townships have spent only about 18% of the opioid settlement funds they have received, leaving substantial resources unused.

Coordination efforts are expanding

State officials acknowledged communication challenges but said new outreach initiatives are underway to help local governments coordinate opioid-response efforts and make more effective use of settlement dollars.

Additional opioid settlement payments are expected to continue flowing to Michigan communities through 2040. Lawmakers indicated they will continue monitoring how the funds are spent and whether coordination efforts improve as communities expand their opioid prevention and treatment programs.