Sock hops and concerts. Here’s how some places spent opioid settlement cash.

Irvington Township in New Jersey made headlines for its unique approach to raising awareness about the dangers of opioid use and addiction. The township decided to host concerts featuring popular R&B artists like Q Parker and Musiq Soulchild, using settlement money from companies accused of fueling the opioid crisis. The concerts, which cost over $600,000 in 2023 and 2024, were aimed at reducing stigma around addiction and connecting people to treatment.

While some officials defended the concerts as a valid use of settlement funds, others, like acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh, criticized them as a “waste” and “misuse” of the money. Walsh argued that the funds should be used for combating addiction, not for hosting extravagant events. Similar disputes over the spending of settlement money are happening nationwide, especially as federal grants are being slashed and Medicaid faces looming cuts.

To shed light on how settlement money is being spent, KFF Health News, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Shatterproof collaborated to document spending in 2024. The team found that states and localities spent nearly $2.7 billion, with a significant portion going towards treatment, overdose reversal medications, and housing programs for those with substance use disorders. However, some questionable expenses, like funding law enforcement gear and hosting events like sock hops and mixed martial arts demonstrations, raised concerns among experts.

One of the key findings from the research was that many spending decisions were not evidence-based and lacked guidance on effective use of the funds. While some officials defended their choices, others acknowledged the need for more strategic allocation of the money. The dispute in Irvington Township, where the acting Comptroller called for repayment of funds spent on concerts, highlighted the ongoing challenges in using settlement money effectively.

As debates over the use of opioid settlement funds continue, it’s essential to prioritize strategies that have a lasting impact on addressing addiction. Settlement money is often seen as “blood money” by those affected by the crisis, and there is a moral imperative to ensure that it is used to prevent further losses. By investing in evidence-based approaches and prioritizing the needs of communities affected by addiction, officials can make a meaningful difference in the fight against opioid misuse and overdose.