Greenfield Releases Opioid Settlement Fund Survey

GREENFIELD — The city of Greenfield is seeking public input on opioid settlement fund allocation via a new survey. The survey will be open for the first round of public input until Friday, Dec. 22. Residents can complete the survey online or submit a physical copy.

Massachusetts communities are receiving funds to bolster opioid response, prevention, and rehabilitation measures following several settlements between the state and pharmaceutical companies culpable for exacerbating the opioid epidemic. The state expects to receive around $1 billion once each settlement is finalized.

Greenfield will receive more than $1.7 million from the settlement agreement, including nearly $250,000 for fiscal year 2024. With the funding, the city aims to address disparities in existing opioid services, improve the community’s response to the opioid epidemic, and aid people disadvantaged by the stigma associated with opioid-use disorder.

Public input will help inform the city’s implementation of opioid settlement funds. Based on state regulations, survey funds can be allocated toward specific categories: opioid-use disorder treatment, support for people in treatment and recovery, connections to care, harm reduction, addressing the needs of criminal-justice-involved persons, support for pregnant or parenting women and their families (including babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome), and preventing misuse of opioids and implementing prevention education.

Click here to fill out the survey online. For physical copies, residents can fill out and submit the survey in drop boxes at Greenfield City Hall, Greenfield Public Library, John Zon Community Center, Franklin County Community Justice Support Center, Greenfield Community College, community meal sites, and health organizations. In addition, posters with QR codes for the digital survey will be available throughout the community for residents to engage with.