Benton County Opioid Taskforce
In 2021 and 2022, nationwide settlements resolved thousands of lawsuits brought by states and local governments over the opioid crisis. The 2021 agreements required the major drug distributors—McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen—to pay up to $21 billion over 18 years, while Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its parent Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay up to $5 billion over nine years. In 2022, additional settlements were reached with pharmacy chains CVS Health, Walgreens, and Walmart, as well as manufacturers Teva Pharmaceuticals and Allergan, committing billions more in payments and product contributions. Beyond financial compensation, these agreements also imposed significant operational reforms, including stricter monitoring of opioid distribution, limits on marketing and lobbying, and enhanced pharmacy compliance and reporting requirements. At least 85% of settlement funds must be used for opioid abatement efforts, such as treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction programs.
Settlement payments are distributed through states, including Iowa, due to lawsuits filed by state attorneys general and local governments as part of the federal multidistrict litigation known as the National Prescription Opiate Litigation MDL. Under the agreements, companies pay settlement funds over time, which are allocated to each state based on factors such as population and the severity of the opioid crisis. States then have distributed a substantial portion of their share to local governments, including Benton County, according to state-specific allocation formulas. Benton County has received these funds to support local opioid-abatement initiatives and services, while the State of Iowa retains a portion for its statewide programs.
- To view the Executive Summary of National Opioid Settlments, please visit: Executive Summary – National Opioids Settlement
- To view Iowa's participation status in the National Settlements, please visit: Iowa – National Opioids Settlement
- To view frequently asked questions on the National Settlements, please visit: FAQ & Explanatory Charts – National Opioids Settlement
The Benton County Opioid Settlement Taskforce Committee has, to date, approved funding for projects through the Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC), Foundation 2, the Benton County Jail, and Virginia Gay Hospital. View the Benton County Opioid Settlement Taskforce Committed Projects (updated 3/5/2026) here, or read below for more information about initiatives occurring in Benton County.
ASAC:
The Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC) has been able to use approved funding to create a Care Navigator position in Benton County. This position connects patients with support services and provides wraparound care to address a patient’s health and stability needs. This is a recommended whole-health practice by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in its treatment protocols when supporting individuals in recovery. Care navigation is particularly important when a patient is struggling to address their substance use disorder. Examples of activities this position provides include: assessing patient eligibility for services such as FIP, WIC, Promise Jobs, SNAP, and Medicaid; scheduling medical exams and referrals to medical and dental providers; assisting with job and housing searches; finding and securing funding for childcare and prenatal care; arranging mental health assessments and services; and much more. The Care Navigator is a compassionate supporter whom patients can rely on, when they might otherwise become overwhelmed and give up on their recovery journey.
Foundation 2:
Foundation 2 has been able to use approved funding for the creation and distribution of homeless and recovery support kits, as well as transportation assistance for care coordination. The support kits are intended to address the basic needs of individuals who may be experiencing substance use and/or mental health crises, in an effort to mitigate those crises and provide information on recovery and support programs available in Benton County and surrounding areas. Information included in the kits provides guidance on how to access free Narcan, harm reduction supplies, crisis services, peer support recovery centers, treatment centers, and other services that support ongoing recovery. These kits are provided to Benton County Sheriff’s deputies and local police to keep available in their vehicles, as well as to the Law Enforcement Liaison, who distributes them as needed to local community partners.
The transportation assistance program addresses transportation barriers for individuals who are seeking or accessing substance use or mental health treatment services, or who need to obtain harm reduction supplies and information. Funds can also be provided to Benton County clients who have their own mode of transportation but lack funds for gas. Transportation is a common barrier in rural communities, and there are often limited options to assist individuals in Benton County with this need.
Benton County Jail:
The Benton County Jail has been able to use approved funding to provide wraparound transportation, offset medical care and prescription expenses directly related to substance use disorder (SUD), support a full-time Registered Nurse (RN) inside the jail, and provide prescription locking bottles to be distributed to local pharmacies. Dedicated transportation funding has helped reduce barriers, including for individuals leaving incarceration, and overall increase access to medical appointments, treatment, and recovery services. Expanding the current nursing position from part-time to full-time allows for increased medical support within the facility and is also designed to improve coordination of SUD and mental health care. Lastly, by providing prescription locking bottles to local pharmacies, individuals can store their medications in a way that keeps them and others safe from potential substance abuse or accidental ingestion, whether that be inside or outside their home.
Virginia Gay Hospital:
Virginia Gay Hospital has been able to use approved funding for the creation of the Outpatient Suboxone Clinic, located in Vinton, and Nonviolent Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training. The outpatient program establishes a specialized clinic at Virginia Gay Hospital to provide Suboxone treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). The clinic offers comprehensive treatment, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and support services. The target population for this program is individuals in Benton County who are struggling with opioid use disorder, particularly those who are underinsured or uninsured.
The CPI training program provides Virginia Gay Hospital employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to handle crisis situations effectively and nonviolently. The primary objectives are to enhance the safety and well-being of both staff and patients, reduce incidents of violence, and improve the overall hospital environment. The program emphasizes recognizing early signs of a crisis, using de-escalation techniques, and applying safe physical intervention methods when necessary. This training program will eventually be rolled out to community partners to equip additional individuals with nonviolent crisis intervention training.
Exhibit 1 - Approved Opioid Remediation Strategies (updated 9/18/2021)
Opioid Settlement Information for Counties (updated 3/10/2026)
