Shawnee Co. received opioid lawsuit settlement money, Valeo has plans if it receives funding

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Health organizations in the Capital City are looking to figure out what’s next for a statewide opioid settlement.

Kansas is receiving more than $340 million over the next 18 years, according to Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. It comes after multiple lawsuit settlements with many top pharmaceutical companies over their roles in the opioid crisis. Shawnee County is one of many counties that has received settlement money.

In 2021, Kansas lawmakers passed the Kansas Fights Addiction Act, using funds from these lawsuits for grants. In 2023, the Shawnee County Third Judicial District of Kansas received funding primarily for treatment, according to the Kansas Fights Addiction Treatment and Prevention Grant Awards. According to Shawnee County Commissioner Kevin Cook in Monday’s County Commission meeting, the money has not yet been distributed.

Mental health, substance abuse and counseling facilities in Topeka could eventually be eligible to receive these grants. But in the meantime, they’ll continue do everything they can to best serve their clients.

“Those are one-time dollars,” Bill Persinger, Valeo Behavioral Health Chief Executive Officer said. “So, we tried to design services or programs or initiatives that this money could be used to kick start. So, we wouldn’t be dependent on all those dollars year after year after year.”

Persinger said the opioid settlement money would help Valeo Behavioral Health, Family Service and Guidance Center and PARS kickstart plans to have a list of services to help Topekans and Shawnee County residents.

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