PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced the state is getting $641 million as part of a national settlement with drug companies for the opioid epidemic.
“We must ensure people have access to treatment and compassionate care,” Murphy said.
Acting attorney general Matt Platkin said this money will be divided equally between the state and local municipalities, to fund life-saving programs and keep people out of jail for low-level offenses.
“Just to give you a flavor of how real these programs are, through that money we’ll be able to establish drug court programs at the municipal level, which don’t currently exist,” Platkin said.
“Through a partnership with the Department of Children and Families, we’ll be able to train law enforcement to identify signs of trauma in youth who are dealing with parents, who are suffering from addiction, and provide them the resources that we do provide throughout the state. The money will truly be put to good use.”
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Platkin said this money won’t replace commitments the state has already made to battle opioids.
“We will expand programs that are already working and create new programs,” Platkin also added. He said the money also cannot be used to plug holes in budgets. It must be spent as laid out in the settlement.
The state will receive annual payments through 2038.
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