Opioids

The Valparaiso City Council has voted to give $343,976 of its opioid settlement money to organizations helping those with substance use disorder.

Valparaiso officials are reviewing funding requests from organizations looking to help those with substance use disorder. City council members Peter Anderson and Barbara Domer are going through applications for some of the city's opioid settlement money, before making recommendations to the full council.

"Both this individual and his family will readily admit that without our support, he wouldn't be here today with us," community recovery care coordinator Kristi Chervenak told the Valparaiso City Council last week.

The Porter County Commissioners have outlined a process for distributing opioid settlement funds going forward. The commissioners Tuesday established a committee to oversee a grant application process.

Valparaiso residents with substance use disorder could soon get more help finding treatment.

Plans for a community recovery care coordinator are moving forward in Valparaiso. The position would connect those with substance use disorder with treatment opportunities. The new coordinator would be employed by PACT, but would be funded by the city with its share of opioid settlement money.

The Valparaiso City Council has advanced a proposal to use the city's opioid settlement money on a new community recovery care coordinator. Council member Peter Anderson says the new position would remove some of the barriers for those with substance use disorder who want to get treatment.

Porter County Council members would like to use some of the county's opioid settlement money for a new police social worker.

Valparaiso has a number of organizations to help people struggling with addiction, but access to treatment comes with a long wait time.

The Indiana University School of Medicine received a grant of up to $12.3 million aimed at developing a new drug that could potentially help treat opioid…