By Delia DeRiggi-Whitton
Three years into Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman’s administration, nearly $100 million in opioid settlement funds sit mostly untouched. Meanwhile, lives are being lost. The money is stuck in limbo – apparently with no urgency, no transparency, and no plan emerging from his administration.
This is unacceptable. While families mourn and communities struggle, Blakeman’s inaction has left these critical funds collecting dust. It’s time for outside experts to step in and fix this mess.
The county’s opioid settlement funds came from lawsuits initiated by former County Executive Laura Curran against the distributors, manufacturers, and retailers of addictive drugs. These funds were intended to support treatment, prevention, and recovery for those most vulnerable. Yet, out of nearly $100 million, only $4.8 million has been spent.
While Blakeman and his administration claim that $36 million is “encumbered” to various agencies, it’s just a fancy way of saying they’ve promised the money but haven’t delivered it. Worse yet, they blame the service providers for failing to submit reimbursement claims quickly enough. That’s an insult to families fighting to save loved ones in the grip of addiction. “Help is on the way” means nothing when it never arrives.
Based upon my observations at the February 24 legislative meeting, it was evident that the Department of Social Services does not have the ability to handle the distribution of these funds under its current leadership – and it became clear that they needed outside assistance.
After years of delays, the County Legislature last month created a method for providers to submit applications and authorized a maximum allocation of $1 million to bring in an outside firm to fix this disaster. I joined my fellow legislators in supporting the measure because we need professionals to cut through the confusion and get these life-saving resources to where they belong. Had we known of the level of disorganization three years ago, we could have acted much sooner.
I have attended too many funerals for young overdose victims and know the heartbreak this crisis inflicts. Addiction doesn’t discriminate — it devastates families of all backgrounds.
I regularly hear from families pleading for help, desperate for action. While we cannot undo the pain already inflicted, we can demand accountability. Nassau’s opioid settlement funds must reach those in need without further delay, and it is my hope that hiring a qualified firm will assist us in fulfilling this mandate.
Every life we lose to opioid addiction is one too many. I will continue to meet my responsibility as a fiduciary of the county by continuing to closely monitor the distribution of these funds, which we have received to be used in a serious manner. I am committed to ensuring we maximize its positive impact as expeditiously as possible.
Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, of Glen Cove, is the Democratic Minority Leader of the Nassau County Legislature. She represents the 11th Legislative District and has served in the Legislature since 2012.