HONESDALE, PA — Wayne County will receive $1.5 million over 15 years to fight the opioid epidemic.

The Wayne County Commissioners on July 18 accepted the “Wave 2” settlement against pharmaceutical companies found liable for contributing to the opioid crisis. Some of these companies include CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, Allergan, and Teva.

The Wave 2 agreement states that the money will be used to create brick-and-mortar programs to help people struggling with substance abuse disorders. 

In December 2022, then-attorney general Josh Shapiro, who is now the Pennsylvania governor, finalized agreements with CVS and Walgreens as the result of national litigation against the pharmaceutical industry. Shapiro said at the time that his office was “determined to hold accountable the greedy companies that created and jet-fueled the opioid epidemic.”

The Wave 1 settlement back in 2021 awarded Wayne County $2.2 million over 18 years. Wayne County has already used some of this money to implement the Medically Assisted Treatment Program at Wayne County Correctional Facility. This type of program, which has been underway in Wayne County for about six months, treats addiction by incorporating recovery support services, such as counseling, with medication. This program is just one of the many projects the county is planning to implement using the money from both waves.

Commissioner Jocelyn Cramer said she had recently attended a Drug Court graduation. More than 50 people have graduated from the program in the six years it’s been active, she said.

Cramer also urges all residents struggling with addiction to reach out to Wayne County for help and to use its resources for prevention, treatment, and recovery.

If you or someone you know needs help with addiction, call the Wayne County Drug and Alcohol Commission at 570-253-6022.

See related story, “PA opioid settlement money: What you need to know."

Employees recognized

In other county news: Over the past two weeks, commissioners recognized several employees for their dedication to the county:

• John Martin was recognized for his five years of service in the Public Defender’s Office.
• Julie Brill, Janaya Burnham, and Sandra Volpato were recognized for their one-year of service. Brill works in the district attorney’s office, Burnham in the Area Agency on Aging office, and Volpato in Magisterial District Judge Carney’s office.