The County of Monterey announced it has received the first round of a $13 million opioid settlement. The county said that this settlement has already generated $2.9 million that will go toward local initiatives to address substance use and improve public health. These programs will be managed by the County of Monterey Health Department. This agreement was made with a dozen companies held accountable for their role in the opioid epidemic, per the county. The Substance Use Response Team received $627,609 from this settlement to provide mobile outreach and street medicine to those struggling with substance use disorders. "This program is a major milestone in Monterey County's efforts to address substance use with a compassionate, tailored approach," said Dr. Reb Close, Medical Director and President of Central Coast Overdose Prevention. "The Substance Use Response Team will bring care directly to those who need it most, connecting them with life-saving resources and ensuring seamless transitions to local harm reduction, treatment, and behavioral health services."

The County of Monterey announced it has received the first round of a $13 million opioid settlement.

The county said that this settlement has already generated $2.9 million that will go toward local initiatives to address substance use and improve public health. These programs will be managed by the County of Monterey Health Department.

This agreement was made with a dozen companies held accountable for their role in the opioid epidemic, per the county.

The Substance Use Response Team received $627,609 from this settlement to provide mobile outreach and street medicine to those struggling with substance use disorders.

"This program is a major milestone in Monterey County's efforts to address substance use with a compassionate, tailored approach," said Dr. Reb Close, Medical Director and President of Central Coast Overdose Prevention. "The Substance Use Response Team will bring care directly to those who need it most, connecting them with life-saving resources and ensuring seamless transitions to local harm reduction, treatment, and behavioral health services."