The City of Pierre has entered into an agreement with Capital Area Counseling Services (CACS) to help prevent and treat opioid abuse and addiction.
The City is the recipient of funds from the settlement of a national class-action lawsuit. The dollars are earmarked to prevent and treat opioid abuse and addiction.
“The team at CACS is well positioned to use these settlement dollars to deal with opioid concerns in Pierre,” said Pierre Mayor Steve Harding. “We’re happy to pass these dollars along to CACS for use in their addiction services department.”
The settlement provides between $3,000 and $3,500 a year to the City for 18 years.
The City recently received its first two payments for a total of about $6,600; all of it has been granted to CACS.
“Addiction issues are profound. Any resources made available to combat the problem will be put to good use,” said Jennifer Gray, CACS President and CEO. “We’re pleased to have this support from the City and will use it to help keep this community safe.”
Specifically, CACS will put the funding toward public education to prevent the misuse of opioids, to treat those who have an opioid use disorder, and to support those who are in recovery.
Capital Area Counseling is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation established to meet the mental health and addiction needs in Central South Dakota.