Opioid Settlement Funds Survey

In the coming years, Sauk County will receive at least $2 million in Opioid Settlement funds as a result of national lawsuits against opioid-related corporations. In the fall of 2023, Public Health Sauk County surveyed the community to gather input on how to use these funds locally to address the opioid crisis.

236 people completed the survey, the vast majority of whom work, live, and/or serve people in Sauk County. Respondents were mainly people who worked professionally and/or personally to support people impacted by substance use. 

Sauk County currently uses grants and other funds to address substance use. Funds from the Opioid Settlement may be used to:

1. Continue these services when current funds are not available
2. Expand these services
3. Provide new services

Survey respondents most often selected these strategies to address substance use:

• Increasing mental health and access to mental health services was the top selected PREVENTION service.
• Providing a re-entry program at the jail was the top selected HARM REDUCTION service.
• Increasing availability of mental health care was the top selected TREATMENT service.
• Increasing availability of housing was the top selected RECOVERY service.

Note: Opioid Settlement funds cannot be used to enforce current laws; that is why law enforcement was not listed as a service to increase or expand on the survey.

Read the full report here.

Questions? Contact Sara.Jesse@SaukCountyWI.gov