MARYLAND’S EASTERN SHORE – Maryland officials are inviting Eastern Shore residents to help shape how the state spends prescription opioid settlement funds during a public town hall Thursday evening.
The Maryland Office of Overdose Response will host the virtual meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. for residents of Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester counties.
State officials are seeking public input on how settlement money should be used to reduce overdoses and expand access to substance use disorder prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery services.
Maryland expects to receive more than $687 million over 15 years through finalized opioid settlements, with additional funding anticipated from a separate Purdue Pharma settlement if it is approved. About 70% of the settlement funds go directly to participating local governments, while the state oversees the remaining portion.
The town hall is open to the public, and registration is not required to attend. Residents who wish to speak are encouraged to register in advance through the Maryland Office of Overdose Response.
