A State Gave Sheriffs 20% of Its Opioid Settlement Cash. We Followed the Money.
Opioid settlement cash was meant to abate the addiction crisis. But a new investigation reveals millions in Louisiana was spent on law enforcement gear and police technology instead of lifesaving treatment.
KFF Health News partnered with three Louisiana news organizations to investigate how the state's sheriffs have allocated their share of opioid settlement funds. Out of 64 sheriffs in the state, 38 reported spending over $8.1 million. Most of this money, about 66%, was allocated to crime-fighting equipment and initiatives. However, a review panel found that $5.4 million was inappropriate and should not have been spent.
Only nine sheriffs followed best practices, with their spending deemed appropriate by the panel and allowable in other states. However, 20 sheriffs did not disclose their expenditures, leaving $10.7 million unaccounted for. This lack of transparency has led to debates over the use of opioid settlement funds, with law enforcement arguing that the money is needed to combat the crisis, while recovery advocates oppose it.
Written by urgent.news from KFF Health News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
