NACo News:

• • • • • County, state, federal leaders to discuss next steps for opioid settlement funds 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Counties (NACo) will host a summit Jan. 10 to discuss next steps for the thoughtful use of opioid settlement funds.

The event will bring together intergovernmental partners from the county, state and federal levels to discuss overdose prevention strategies, sustaining momentum from state and local partnerships during opioid litigation, and opportunities for intergovernmental coordination in overdose prevention.

This summit builds on the work of NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center, which assists local leaders in investing settlement resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder. The center offers custom planning, implementation and peer learning resources as counties play a frontline role in addressing the opioid epidemic.

Counties are often responsible for managing first responders, 911 centers, jails, hospitals and health clinics, and serve as the safety net for some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations.

Event Details:

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024
2-4:30 p.m.
660 North Capitol St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

National Overdose Prevention Strategy
2:10-2:55 p.m.
Dr. Gina Firman Nikkel, Executive Director, Association of Oregon Counties
Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

Sustaining the Momentum of the Opioid Litigation
2:55-3:35 p.m.
Stephen J. Acquario, Esq., Executive Director, New York State Association of Counties
Anthony E. “Tony” McDowell, Executive Director, Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority
Daniel Hinkle, Senior State Affairs Counselor, American Association for Justice

Opportunities for Intergovernmental Coordination in Overdose Prevention
3:35-4:25 p.m.
Kevin Leonard, Executive Director, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, Director and Health Officer, Department of Health and Human Services, Baltimore County, Md.
Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use | SAMHSA Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

For more information about NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center, click here.

About NACo:

The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government. www.naco.org.