FRANKFORT, IN — Seven projects totaling $113,300 were approved for the final round of opioid settlement funding in Clinton County, including dollars to prevent youth vaping and mental health support for county jail staff.
The money is allocated from the state’s participation in multiple settlements with pharmaceutical companies and drug distributors over deceptive marketing and unlawful distribution practices that contributed to the state’s opioid crisis, which will provide more than $980 million to counties across the state being distributed through 2038, according to the Indiana Commission to Combat Substance Use Disorder.
The Clinton County Opioid Settlement Committee approved the following grants:
Rossville Middle/High School Principal Mike Hammons said the school corporation’s request is an effort to prevent students from vaping during school hours, whether they’ve already begun vaping or are tempted to try it.
The detectors will be installed in eight bathrooms that are accessible to students throughout the building, Hammons said. When vapor from an e-cigarette is detected, administrators are notified by both email and text message.
During the April 21 Clinton County commissioners meeting, Lori Archibald, executive director of Healthy Communities of Clinton County and chair of the county’s Opioid Settlement Committee, said concerns for the mental health of sheriff’s deputies and jail staff had been discussed with committee members. The concerns stemmed from recent events and investigations in the sheriff’s office involving former Sheriff Richard Kelly and his wife and former jail matron, Ashley Kelly.
“Apparently, it was voiced at the merit board meeting to some of the people on the opioid committee of the hostile work environment. The word ‘fear’ was used, and that they were really having problems with their mental health and that they didn’t feel that they had resources,” Archibald told commissioners in April. “Two years ago, we did a grant app for first responders, and (mental health resources) is covered in one of the approved uses for opioid settlement dollars.”
Initially, Archibald requested permission from commissioners to pursue a $10,000 emergency grant application for support in the sheriff’s office. But commissioners President Jordan Brewer said he would like to see that grant application be bumped up to $15,000.
Commissioner Bert Weaver said he, too, felt it was an appropriate use of the county’s money.
“First of all, the money’s there, and I believe the need is there,” Weaver said. “I highly commend and thank you for bringing that forward.”
Given recent headlines involving controversy in the sheriff’s office, Archibald said the Opioid Settlement Committee is a reminder of good things happening.
“This is a great place to live and to work,” he said, “and I don’t want the shenanigans of two people to overshadow what a wonderful place this is.”
Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. She can be reached via email at jellison@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Clinton Co. OKs opioid money to projects including deputies’ mental health
Reporting by Jillian Ellison, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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