opioid settlement

Restorative Roots Recovery owns the only licensed male recovery houses in Luzerne County. While the owners have plans to grow, the federal government looks to shrink funding for recovery services.

The Trump administration’s recent cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services included billions of dollars in grants to the states. Gov. Josh Shapiro joined a multistate lawsuit against the administration, resulting in a temporary pause on the cuts. But Luzerne and Lackawanna county officials are left waiting on money that may not come.

Healthcare, and access to it, vary throughout WVIA’s 22 county coverage area. Our top health stories covered healthcare deserts, uncertain futures, women's rights and more.

Wyoming County used opioid settlement funds to mail residents drug deactivation systems called Deterra kits.

At Tuesday's voting session, councilmembers unanimously agreed to remove a vote from the agenda that would have given $985,500 to local Nexstar Media stations WBRE/WYOU for an opioid misuse messaging campaign.

Luzerne County is expected vote July 9 to approve a $985,500 messaging campaign from broadcaster using opioid settlement funds.

The county received 12 grant applications from local groups that want to use opioid settlement money. Decisions on who receives a share of $250,000 are just a few weeks away.

Applications for settlement funds could open as soon as mid-April in Lackawanna County. Luzerne County has yet to assemble a full opioid committee and has not yet met to discuss spending.