Uses of opioid settlement moneys addressed by attorney general

Vowing to work on issues that matter to all residents of the state, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser spoke to a crowd of about 25 at the Phillips County Event Center in Holyoke on Thursday afternoon, May 27.

“I’m going to keep working on issues that matter to all people in Colorado, including law enforcement, opioid epidemic, water and protecting consumers,” Weiser said.

“We can’t allow ourselves to be divided along different lines — rural/urban, Black/white, rich/poor. We’re all Coloradans, we’re all in this together,” he added.

Weiser emphasized we all depend on public safety, we depend on people being protected from scandals, we look at how to meet the challenge of a pandemic and we focus on how we manage our water.

He pointed out that the opioid epidemic we’re seeing is an example of what collaboration can look like and how we can make a difference.

Phillips County Commissioner Terry Hofmeister praised Weiser and the work he and his staff are doing with those around the state on the opioid settlement.

On Feb. 7, Weiser announced a $573 million settlement with a coalition of attorneys general from 47 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories and one of the world’s largest consulting firms, McKinsey & Company Inc.

The settlement resolved investigations into the company’s role in working for opioid companies, helping them promote their drugs and profiting from the opioid epidemic.

After payment of costs, the settlement will be used to abate problems caused by opioids in the participating states. Colorado will receive nearly $10 million from the settlement.

Other states are waiting for the funds to come in, while Colorado is thinking ahead. Heidi Williams was hired as director of opioid response a year and a half ago to start planning for what is coming in the foreseeable future.

Hofmeister noted that Weiser has listened to the rural commissioners, has warned of potential pitfalls and has been supportive.

Payouts for this settlement and other related ones will be conducted over 19 years. Hofmeister pointed out that the current officials have to set the foundation of this settlement in the right manner for those who will take over after they leave office.

Weiser noted that the world got into the opioid crisis hole through a range of failures. He emphasized the need to cut back on the opioids that are being overly prescribed and to create an environment where those with addictions are able to get support and have a place to go.

These resources will be funded by winning lawsuits against wrongful companies who push the products and deceive people to make money. They won their first case against McKinsey & Company, with others in the pipeline, Weiser said.

The first step in the plan is to finalize a memorandum of understanding to define how the money will be spent.

Different regions will have different plans as the needs vary. Weiser said Phillips County is in the region with all counties in the 13th Judicial District, as well as Lincoln and Elbert counties.

If he can do one thing as attorney general, Weiser said it is to improve behavioral health services.

As noted by Centennial Mental Health Executive Director Liz Hickman, folks here are working really hard to build a better infrastructure in this region to support those who are struggling. It will include different forms of treatment, different networks for recovery, better education for prevention and more workforce.

“It will take some time, but we have to get on it, and get on it collaboratively,” Weiser added.

Several in the audience referenced the legalization of marijuana in the state. Weiser said the upside of this is the tax revenue going to build new schools.

However, what’s happening to so many kids is a major downside, he added. He said we should be nervous about the high-potency THC having a much bigger impact on kids’ brains than they realize.

Asked why those marijuana funds aren’t used for awareness campaigns or treatment programs, Weiser acknowledged that the tobacco story isn’t a good one either.

While opioid money hasn’t come in yet, Weiser said it should go toward addressing the opioid epidemic and should not be redirected the way tobacco and marijuana money was.

Those decisions were made before Weiser’s time. “I will have some ability to influence what happens in the opioid context, and I will give my firm commitment that I’m going to work really hard to make sure this money all addresses people who have been harmed by this crisis.”

Melissa Memorial Hospital administrator Cathy Harshbarger said there aren’t enough behavioral health workers in the area. Weiser agreed that’s one of the issues ­— they have to support more people going into being a provider and bringing those people into areas currently underserved.

Jim Beal expressed concern for universities not teaching about cause and effect, and therefore people are not addressing issues at the foundational level.

Referencing the process of defining how the opioid money will be used in each region, Weiser said his staff will help support and enable but will not dictate anything. “It can’t be one size fits all,” he added, citing the differing sets of issues in each community.

Water was another topic addressed as being key by Weiser. “We’ve got to be innovative, collaborative and find better ways to manage water storage, reuse opportunities and smart conservation efforts,” he said.

On the topic of public safety, Weiser said it is crucial to help build and support trust in law enforcement.

“We want to make sure we have the right structures to train and support people and if there are bad apples to have the right transparency and accountability,” he added.

Haxtun Police Chief Tanya Mayhew reflected on the need for an addiction treatment center in this area and the need for more resources.

Weiser said his office runs a Peace Officers Standards and Training program which trains and certifies police officers. He also told about a program offering scholarships to the academy.

“We have to bring good people into law enforcement and also have to have the right tools,” Weiser said.

In conclusion, he cited this county’s desire for dialogue with his office will help define the directive for how the opioid money will be spent in this region, as will be stated in the memorandum of understanding.