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… Illinois Association for Behavioral Health Springfield, IL
For Immediate Release Contact: 03 August 2022 Jud DeLoss, 612-432-3135
Advocates Urge Pritzker to Prioritize Opioid Settlement Money for African-American, Latino Communities Hardest Hit by Epidemic
(Springfield, IL) – One of Illinois’ top behavioral health advocacy groups is urging Governor JB Pritzker to prioritize Illinois’ $760 million of opioid settlement money for African-American and Latino communities, arguing those communities have suffered the most from the opioid epidemic.
“Illinois’ community-based providers are on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic and are in the best position to address the immediate and critical needs of Illinoisans suffering from the crisis, and those suffering principally are African-American and Latino communities,” said Illinois Association for Behavioral Health CEO Jud DeLoss, who participated in a press conference with Pritzker last week announcing the settlement. “The $760 million of opioid settlement money should be prioritized to fund substance use treatment and recovery services for African-American and Latino communities throughout Illinois.”
On Friday, July 29, Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that Illinois would receive $760 million over the next 18 years as the result of a national $26 billion opioid settlement agreement with three major pharmaceutical distributors – Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen – and one manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson.
“This $26 billion opioid settlement agreement will help offset the $41 billion total economic and social cost of OUD and fatal opioid overdoses in Illinois,” said State Representative La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago), who also participated in the press event. “Responding to the opioid epidemic and treating OUD demands access to, availability, and affordability of high-quality, evidenced-based acute treatment services and a robust network of recovery supports.”
The Illinois Department of Human Services will distribute Illinois’ settlement share based on recommendations from an advisory board chaired by the State’s Chief Behavioral Health Officer, Dr. David T. Jones, and composed of State and local appointees.
“We are pleased with the decision to house the new State agency within Illinois Department of Human Services as it reflects a focus on community-based treatment rather than hospital, health system or other public health systems,” said DeLoss. “The Illinois Association for Behavioral Health is eager to begin discussions with the new advisory panel and Dr. Jones once it is fully appointed and functioning.” -30-
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