Nassau County lawmakers demanded the immediate restoration of $13.7 million in interest funds from the opioid settlement after the money was transferred from the addiction-fighting account to the county’s General Fund.
Since Nassau began receiving opioid settlement funds in 2022, the county has raised $95.5 million aimed at saving lives; However, only $12 million – or less than 13% – has been spent, as families across Nassau continue to face the devastating impact of fentanyl-related addiction and deaths.
Legislator Olena Nicks announced a legislative initiative to permanently safeguard opioid settlement funds, ensuring that money – including interest earned – remains dedicated to prevention, treatment, recovery and education efforts.
“This settlement represents the pain of families who have lost loved ones to addiction,” Nicks stated. “These funds were intended to save lives, not sit idle or be used to cover budget shortfalls. “Our legislation will establish clear safeguards to ensure that opioid settlement funds are protected and used with the urgency this crisis demands.”
Nassau Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said the County must act immediately to restore transferred funds and accelerate investments in vital services.
“The opioid epidemic continues to take a heartbreaking toll on our communities,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. «We cannot allow the allocation of funds for treatment and prevention to be delayed while families continue to lose their sons and daughters. “This money must be restored and put to work immediately.”
Joining lawmakers was Larry Lamendola of Wantagh, whose daughter Lisa died from fentanyl poisoning in 2019. Since his daughter’s death, Lamendola has become a tireless advocate for education, prevention and increasing investments in addiction treatment services.
“No family should have to experience the loss that mine has suffered,” Lamendola said. «These funds were intended to help prevent tragedies like the one my daughter suffered. “They must be used to save lives right now.”
Transparency and accountability
In this way, legislators urge County Executive Bruce Blakeman to restore the $13.7 million in compensation funds for the opioid crisis, accelerate their distribution to treatment and prevention programs, and offer greater transparency in decisions related to their spending.
The proposed legislation would establish permanent safeguards to ensure that opioid compensation funds are dedicated exclusively to combating addiction and supporting recovery efforts throughout Nassau County.
Legislator Arnold W. Drucker underscored the need for transparency and public accountability in the management of opioid compensation funds.
“Families were promised that these resources would help turn the tide in the fight against addiction,” Drucker said. “They deserve to receive clear answers about where the money is going and why life-saving programs are still waiting for support.”
In turn, legislator Scott Davis declared that the opioid crisis requires faster action by Nassau County leaders. “Every delay in the allocation of these funds represents a missed opportunity to connect someone to treatment or to prevent an overdose,” he said. “We cannot afford to move at a bureaucratic pace when lives are at stake.”
Legislator Debra Mulé emphasized the importance of investing in community-based prevention initiatives. “Education, outreach and early intervention are critical tools in combating addiction,” he said. “These funds must reach the neighborhoods, schools and service providers working on the front lines of this crisis.”
Legislator Carrié Solages highlighted the increasing pressure on treatment providers and recovery programs. “Organizations offering counselling, rehabilitation and recovery support are facing increasing demand,” he said. “Opioid compensation funds should be helping to expand these services right now.”
For her part, legislator Cynthia Nuñez affirmed that safeguarding the integrity of the compensation fund is essential to restore public trust. “This money was obtained through legal action to address a public health emergency… We must ensure that it is protected and used for exactly the purpose for which it was intended.”
Finally, Legislator Viviana L. Russell noted the broader impact that addiction continues to have on families and local communities.
“Substance use disorder not only affects individuals, but entire families and neighborhoods…Strategic investments in treatment and prevention can help save lives and strengthen our communities,” he stressed.
