South Dakota lawmakers are putting pressure on the Department of Social Services to release opioid settlement funds.
During the final legislative appropriations committee meeting of the interim session, lawmakers heard from both the Attorney General’s Office and DSS regarding settlement funds collected from multiple opioid manufacturers.
According to DSS’s opioid settlement dashboard, the state is expecting to receive nearly $100 million in settlement funds through 2038. As of October, the state has received $23 million.
Matt Althoff, secretary of DSS, told the committee the department does not intend to create an endowment, and that the funds would be used to support treatment and prevention programs.
Marty Jackley, Attorney General of South Dakota, recommended collaborating with DSS to distribute funds to communities now. He said that $25 million should be made available now.
Multiple lawmakers criticized the department for not releasing funds immediately, saying the situation is make-or-break.