A new committee in Greene County is now accepting grant applications to help mitigate the opioid epidemic.

The Greene County Opioid Settlement Funds Allocation Committee was set up through the County Board of Supervisors to determine the best course of how to utilize funds that are being received by the county as part of joining a lawsuit with several other counties in Iowa. This was part of a national settlement with several other states against pharmaceutical manufacturers of opioids that created a widespread epidemic. 

However, Greene County Attorney Thomas Laehn says the funds can’t be used on just anything.

“We can only use that money for certain, narrow purposes related to combating what’s called ‘opioid use disorder’ that clinical addiction to opioids. We have to use the money to mitigate that epidemic, in so far as it effects us here in Greene County.”

The deadline to submit an application is May 1st. Click the link below to access the website where the criteria and grant application can be found. Applications can also be picked up at the Greene County Treasurer’s Office in the Greene County Courthouse.

https://greenecountyia.municipalone.com/pview.aspx?catid=663&id=56231