FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cumberland County Opioid Advisory Council will be hosting community forums.
Bridgeton, NJ (September 18, 2023)-
Cumberland County has recently formed its National Opioid Settlement Advisory Council. National Opioid Litigation Resolutions required each participating County to establish an Advisory Council to recommend opioid remediation expenditures of allowable costs and report to the state how each participating municipality spends its share of funds. The structure of the national settlement divides New Jersey into regions, which Cumberland County is considered a single participating county with Bridgeton, Millville and Vineland as participating municipalities also referred to as subdivisions. State and local governments have already received distributions for 2022 and 2023.
The purpose of the County’s Advisory Council is to provide input, advice, and recommendations on disbursement of each participating municipality across approved purposes. The Cumberland County Alcohol and Drug Services Office is the Lead Agency in the County responsible for consulting with the advisory council. The Advisory Council has begun meeting and is in the process of developing a strategic plan.
Remaining in compliance is also a priority for the Advisory Council. Compliance reporting and accountability requires Cumberland County to spend funds on approved uses and report expenditures using a format dictated by the State of New Jersey. Part of that reporting requires each municipality to submit plans for acceptable use and expenditure reports to the State of New Jersey. The success of this initiative is contingent upon the full cooperation of all parties involved and the community.
To garner community support and information, the Opioid Advisory Council is hosting the first of three Community Forums September 18, 2023, in Millville at Dwelling Place Church located at 125 N. 2nd St., Millville, NJ 08332 from 5pm-7pm. The Bridgeton meeting will be September 28, 2023, at the Cumberland County Library, 800 E. Commerce St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 from 5pm-7pm, and the final forum in Vineland at the Vineland Public Library, 1058 E. Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360 from 5pm-7pm. The information gathered from the Community Forums and a survey that has been shared with stakeholders and the public will be an integral part of the developing strategic plan. This is a positive step in the battle against opioid addiction in Cumberland County.
If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Human Services Director Melissa Niles at Melissani@CumberlandCountynj.gov or (856) 459-3080.
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