GOSHEN – While enforcement alone is not the answer to the opioid addiction problem, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler is proposing ways to use money from settlement of civil lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors to aid those suffering from addiction.
The DA said funds should be used to address the primary issues caused by the opioid epidemic.
“What I am suggesting as district attorney is encouraging state, county and local officials to invest opioid money in treatment – medically assisted treatment, mental health treatment – focusing on the continuum of care as they move into recovery, making sure once they are out of treatment they have a suitable place to recover – a suitable environment,” he said. “I’m pushing for stabilized housing for those with substance abuse disorder.”
The DA said enforcement should be used as a last-ditch effort to take those who denigrate our quality of life off the street, but money should be spent on treatment, recovery, housing and prevention.
