Expanding Recovery Services Through Opioid Settlement Funds
States and local communities are receiving opioid settlement funds following years of litigation about the opioid crisis. But how are counties putting that funding to work?
Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson of Somerset County, N.J., joins host Dara Brown at the 2026 National Association of Counties Conference in New Orleans to discuss how the county is investing its settlement funds in prevention, recovery, treatment, and community outreach.
Video Transcript
Brown: On May 1st of this year, a major opioid settlement involving Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family took effect, sending new funding to states and local communities to support addiction treatment, prevention and recovery.
Hello, I'm Dara Brown, and this is "Getting Connected." We're on location in New Orleans, the Crescent City, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for the 2026 National Association of Counties Annual Conference. Here, officials discuss policies and strategies that help local governments better serve their communities.
The Purdue Pharma settlement is part of a broader wave of opioid litigation with other manufacturers, major distributors and pharmacy chains also agreeing to pay billions of dollars to help communities address the opioid crisis.
Commissioner Shanel Y. Robinson, Director of the Somerset County, New Jersey Board of County Commissioners, joins me to share how that county is using settlement funds. Commissioner, thank you for being here.
Robinson: Thank you, Dara, for having me. Great to be here.
Brown: How did the opioid crisis impact Somerset County?
Robinson: We were considered through Rutgers research in 2023 as a low-vulnerability community. However, we were one of three counties where — There's 21 counties in the state of New Jersey. We were one of three who had a rise in opioid deaths by 87%.
Brown: Somerset County is the first county in the state to receive and distribute these settlement funds. How are you using them?
Robinson: Oh, absolutely. I'm so proud of that moment. We are using the funds to educate the community, let the community know what wraparound services that are available to them, harm reduction, also family support. It's not just about the person who is using the substance. It's all about holistic approach and making sure that everyone has the support that they need.
Brown: And how did you determine where the funds needed to go?
Robinson: We had a public hearing. So what better way to know how to utilize the funds by doing a needs assessment, the public, law enforcement, behavioral health professionals and agencies, nonprofit agencies who are already doing the work.
Brown: You have a mobile unit called the HELPS van, which you set into action to possibly reach people who couldn't get that support. Can you tell us how that's working?
Robinson: So the HELPS van is out and about in the community at community events, meeting people where they are. We also hired a behavioral health navigator, where they're able to share the wraparound services that are available to those who need those services. In addition to that, we are working with Richard Hall, which is one of two federally qualified health centers in the state of New Jersey. Often mental health, substance abuse, mental health is health. And so being about a community committed, invested in what the needs are, we're able to better serve the community.
Brown: Can you share an example of how that's working in coordination?
Robinson: Oh, absolutely. So it's a continuum of care with that partnership. We offer at Richard Hall mental health, dental, vision. As well now we offer prescription. And this is regardless of your ability to pay or insurance.
Brown: Have you been able to actually measure the impact so far of having these funds come to Somerset County?
Robinson: Oh, absolutely. We have a strategic plan for '25 through '27, and that strategic plan is data-driven. And as we continue to work with our partners in the community, we're able to provide an impact study to the community.
Brown: You talk about your plan being in place. You are going to be a recipients of this funding through 2038. How are you going to build on what you've already set in motion?
Robinson: Well, just last year we started a COG, which is the community outreach group, and they are actually knocking door to door canvassing, letting people know about the resources and what's available to them. In addition, we're passing out naloxone or Narcan kits in the community. So we're doing the work and continue to partner with those who have already been at the ground level doing the work. So as long as we continue to do that, I think we'll meet the needs of those who need it.
Brown: Commissioner and Director Robinson, thank you so much for your time today.
Robinson: Thank you, Dara.
Brown: And thank you as well for watching. I'm Dara Brown.