A representative of a local mental health and substance abuse treatment center asked the Selma City Council to allocate $35,000 from the city’s opioid settlement funds to the center.
The state of Alabama has received more than $700 million in settlements from drug manufacturers and distributors responsible for the opioid crisis, according to the Alabama Attorney General’s website. The city of Selma will get a portion of the funds from these multiple settlements.
Miah Tolbert, representing Rise & Recover, formally asked the council at their Nov. 26 meeting to give the center $35,000 from the city’s portion of the settlement. Tolbert noted that the settlement is supposed to go to organizations involved in treatment, job training, education and housing, all of which are provided by Rise & Recover.
The center served 285 clients last year, according to Tolbert. She said the center has demonstrated success for two decades.
City Council President Billy Young said the city council must ensure it allocates funds to eligible organizations while looking for ways “to stretch the money” from the settlements. He said partnerships with other organizations and other government entities like Dallas County or even neighboring cities could generate more state funds.
Young said drugs are a public safety issue as well as a health issue.
“Whether crime, property crime, crime against person or crime against humanity, it’s a good shot that drugs in some kind of way are involved,” Young said.
City Councilperson Jannie Thomas said that she has referred people to Rise & Recover many times. “You’ve never closed the door on a family member,” Thomas told Tolbert. “So many people out here need help, want help. I’m glad we have a program that can help.”
Councilman Sam Randolph agreed. “I appreciate all you’re doing,” Randolph said. “You’re not giving up on these young men. Some people just give up on folks. You don’t give up on nobody.”
Young said it may be January before the council has all the information it needs to allocate funds from the settlements.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.