EDITORIAL: CCO COMMENDS MAYOR TERRY’S APPROACH TO THE USE OF OPIOID FUNDS

Mayor Stephanie Terry’s proactive stance on utilizing the $1.3 million Evansville received from the federal settlement with opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers is commendable. Terry’s commitment to addressing the opioid crisis is clear.

Under the Winneke administration last year, YouthFirst, Inc. received substantial support to maintain social workers in schools and implement evidence-based prevention programs, while Forefront Therapy received funding to address drug use among pregnant mothers and bolster their clinic’s resources.

Mayor Terry’s decision to allocate all settlement funds toward combating the opioid crisis is a commendable move. By inviting proposals across various areas such as education, prevention, treatment, and enforcement, Terry uses her knowledge from past involvement with the Substance Abuse Council and demonstrates a comprehensive approach to tackling drug abuse in Evansville.

Furthermore, the mayor’s establishment of an ad hoc committee, comprising Deputy Mayor Lindsay Locasto, Communications Director Joe Atkinson, State Representative Ryan Hatfield, Superior Court Judge Wayne Trockman, LaRissa Madison, and Lisa Seif, to evaluate program effectiveness aligns with principles from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.