Delaware’s Behavioral Health Consortium has approved funding to address the opioid crisis, despite allegations of misuse of government funds by Dover nonprofit Code Purple. After reports of potential fraud, all funding to Code Purple was frozen, and the Department of Justice began efforts to recover $290,000 in distributed monies. Attorney General Kathy Jennings recommended freezing all grant awards until the distribution process could be evaluated by an external contractor.
Despite these concerns, the consortium approved $1.9 million for the first two phases of bridge funding for existing businesses and nonprofits. The third phase of the grant cycle is expected to happen after reports on the distribution process are released. Statewide fatal overdoses have been decreasing since the settlement money began entering the community, with 2023 marking the first reduction in fatal overdoses in Delaware in 10 years.
However, there is a risk of losing $45 million originally slated to help fund opioid treatment and prevention in Delaware following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The ruling affects a tentative settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, which was expected to bring the state close to $50 million. The Court’s decision means settlement negotiations will restart, potentially jeopardizing Delaware’s portion of the funding.
Members of the Sackler family have expressed hope for reaching a resolution that provides substantial resources to combat the opioid crisis. The situation remains uncertain as Delaware grapples with the need for funding to address the ongoing opioid crisis.
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