# Opioid Policy Institute
> Addressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction.
Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts.
Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`).
## Pages
### About
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/about/
Last updated: 2025-04-24T03:07:56.000Z
#### Our Mission
We work to improve outcomes for people with an opioid addiction through our scientific research, policy advocacy, and education. We work relentlessly towards pushing solutions that prevent diseases and deaths related to opioid addiction.
#### Our Purpose
OPI was established in 2020 to break the gap between knowledge and action about opioid addiction. To accomplish this we generate knowledge and take it from the ivory tower to the people with the goal of affecting real, sustained change and improving the lives of people with an opioid addiction.
## Our Team
### Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD
Director/Founder
#### Education
\> Lifespan Developmental Psychology, West Virginia University, ****PhD**
\> Behavioral Neuroscience, West Virginia University, ****MS**
\> Counseling Education ("Substance Abuse"), Wayne State University, ****MA**
\> Psychology, John Carroll University, ****BS**
#### Background
Dr. Jonathan Stoltman has been an addiction scientist and patient advocate since 2013\. His research and policy interests are at the intersection of reproductive/sexual health, pregnancy, stigma, discrimination, digital health, media & opioids/addiction. He is a collaborator on several current projects with national experts including digital privacy/security and OUD Treatment Apps, child welfare involvement and addiction, and sexual health knowledge/access/interest during opioid treatment. Jonathan has also participated in advocacy work with the College of Problems on Drug Dependence Washington, DC Advocacy Day every winter since 2018\. In collaboration with 100 Days in Appalachia, he has co-developed materials to help improve how the media covers addiction (Reporting on Addiction). His research manuscripts have appeared in leading journals such as Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Addictive Behaviors, and Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology. Additionally, Jonathan has presented his research at national and regional conferences. Since 2015, he has served on various committees for the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), including: Human Research Committee, Chair of the Technology Sub-Committee; Public Policy Committee; Communications Committee; and Social Justice Taskforce. CPDD is the premier addiction research society and is the longest-standing professional association in the United States addressing problems of addiction. During his doctoral training, Jonathan completed research at West Virginia's leading opioid treatment facility, the Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Treatment (COAT) clinic at West Virginia University. He received CTSI funding for this work on reproductive and sexual health service knowledge/access/interest during opioid treatment. Jonathan continues to mentor many students and junior faculty.
[Contact](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/contact/)
[Download CV](https://app.box.com/s/luyd8gils9az4e5ysciq13g7aqmosj7t)
### Mishka Terplan, MD, MPH, FACOG, DFASAM
Senior Physician Research Scientist
#### Education
\> University of California, San Francisco, ****MD**
\> University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, ****MPH**
\> University of Chicago, ****BA**
#### Background
Dr. Mishka Terplan is board certified in both obstetrics and gynecology and in addiction medicine. His primary clinical, research and advocacy interests lie along the intersections of reproductive and behavioral health. Dr. Terplan is nationally recognized as an expert in the care of pregnant and parenting people with substance use disorder. He has been central to guidance document development at the American Congress of Obstetrician Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and has participated in expert panels at Center for Disease Control, Office of the National Drug Control Policy, Office of Women’s Health, US Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health primarily on issues related to gender and addiction. Dr. Terplan has active grant funding and has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles with emphasis on addiction medicine, drug use in pregnancy, health disparities, stigma, and access to treatment.
---
## [Creative Commons Republishing Guidelines\*](#creative-commons)
- You must give the Opioid Policy Institute credit, including opioidpolicy.org and author.
- If you publish online, include the links from the story, and a link to Opioid Policy Institute.
- Stories may be edited for in-house style or to shorten. More substantial changes should be noted as additional and conducted by your publication. Changes must be aligned with Associated Press Stylebook and [Reporting on Addiction](https://www.reportingonaddiction.org) guidance related to addiction stigma.
- You can publish our graphics and any photos that are credited to Opioid Policy Institute with the stories with which they originally appeared. For any other uses, you must seek permission.
- Don’t sell the story.
- Don’t sell ads against the story or on a page that uses advertisements.
- Please only publish on pages that minimize or completely avoid the use of trackers, pixels, and other advertising technology that violates people's privacy.
- Content cannot be published behind a paywall.
*\*adapted from* [*Michigan Advanced*](https://michiganadvance.com/republishing-guidelines/)
### Our Creative Commons license
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Digital Health
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/digital-health/
Last updated: 2024-11-15T04:01:15.000Z
### Digital health is a burgeoning area of investment and interest. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy for patients to tell who the bad actors are. We aim to change this.
Digital Health promised to reduce barriers to opioid treatment. Every new digital health provider has made the promise that they are “different” from the shady treatment vendors we often associate with addiction treatment. We aim to see how these services made good on these promises.
Fundamentally, we need apps and services that protect patient’s privacy. This is enshrined in law, but too often app creators live by the Silicon Valley axiom “move fast and break things”. While there is certainly *a lot* that needs to be disrupted in the current +$30bil addiction treatment industry, patient digital privacy is not one of those things. Additionally, apps that engage in shady or outright unethical practices (e.g., [Dark Patterns](https://darkpatterns.org/)) should be identified so that we can establish new rules and regs to guide this fast-moving space and prevent services from taking advantage of patients seeking treatment.
We want to answer the essential question: How can we protect and expand the rights of patients with opioid use disorders, while reducing barriers to care?
### Reporting on Addiction
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/roa/
Last updated: 2023-05-25T04:20:25.000Z
### Most people learn about addiction through the media, but these stories aren’t always telling the whole picture…
To help improve this, we partnered with [100 Days in Appalachia](https://www.100daysinappalachia.com/). 100 Days in Appalachia is a non-profit newsroom committed to improving reporting about and in the Appalachian region.
For [Reporting on Addiction](https://reportingonaddiction.org/), we’re using a stakeholder informed approach by working with academic experts, community members with lived experience, and media members to develop guidelines for journalists and journalism students to help improve reporting.
[Learn More](https://www.reportingonaddiction.org)
### The Hub
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/hub/
Last updated: 2025-02-27T01:07:01.000Z
[In the News - Opioid Policy InstituteOur work has appeared in numerous media outletsOpioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/media/)
[Digital Health - Opioid Policy InstituteDigital health is a burgeoning area of investment and interest. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy for patients to tell who the bad actors are. We aim to change this. We want to answer the essential question: How can we protect and expand the rights of patients with opioid use disorders, while reducing barriers to care?Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/digital-health/)
[Opioid Settlement Money - Opioid Policy InstituteWe’re addressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction.Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/opioid-settlement-money/)
[Harm Reduction - Opioid Policy InstituteWe’re addressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction.Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/harm-reduction/)
[Policy - Opioid Policy InstituteWe’re addressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction.Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/policy/)
[Reporting on Addiction - Opioid Policy InstituteWe’re addressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction.Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/reporting-on-addiction/)
[Policy - Opioid Policy InstituteWe’re addressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction.Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/policy/)
### Contact
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/contact/
Last updated: 2025-04-24T02:57:25.000Z
_No content available._
### Policy Work
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/policy-work/
Last updated: 2023-09-13T03:12:36.000Z
Research drives policy. Policy drives research. At OPI both work hand in hand to take traditionally staid research out of academia and into the real-world to have an impact.
Some of our focus areas include:
### Republishing Guidelines
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/republishing-guidelines/
Last updated: 2025-03-25T04:02:13.000Z
- You must give the Opioid Policy Institute credit, including opioidpolicy.org and author.
- If you publish online, include the links from the story, and a link to Opioid Policy Institute.
- Stories may be edited for in-house style or to shorten. More substantial changes should be noted as additional and conducted by your publication. Changes must be aligned with Associated Press Stylebook and [Reporting on Addiction](https://www.reportingonaddiction.org) guidance related to addiction stigma.
- You can publish our graphics and any photos that are credited to Opioid Policy Institute with the stories with which they originally appeared. For any other uses, you must seek permission.
- Don’t sell the story.
- Don’t sell ads against the story or on a page that uses advertisements.
- Please only publish on pages that minimize or completely avoid the use of trackers, pixels, and other advertising technology that violates people's privacy.
- Content cannot be published behind a paywall.
*\*adapted from* [*Michigan Advanced*](https://michiganadvance.com/republishing-guidelines/)
### Our Creative Commons license
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### loading...⌛
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/random/
Last updated: 2025-12-02T02:04:43.000Z
_No content available._
### Opioid Settlement WFAM
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-wfam/
Last updated: 2026-05-05T03:42:08.000Z
[DEA Takeback Day (Come and Take It!🐍)Another WFAM - Waste of the Week with more feel-good optics that miss the momentOpioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/dea-takeback-day/)
[TruNarc: To Narc or Not to Narc? 🐀Another WFAM - Waste of the Week where communities are paying for a product out of fear and out of touch with how drugs workOpioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/trunarc/)
[WFAM Year in Review: Looking Back, Moving Forward (2025)$35.7mil in opioid settlement WFAM identified in the last 6 monthsOpioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wfam-eoy-2025/)
[Don’terra!💊🚽Another WFAM - Waste of the Week where communities are paying for a product that is not more effective than a toiletOpioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/donterra/)
[This is a Dizzy-aster!🥽Another WFAM - Waste of the WeekOpioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/goggles/)
[⚡Shock Value⚡Another spooky WFAM - Waste of the WeekOpioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/aeds/)
[Cell-NO! 📵Another spooky WFAM - Waste of the WeekOpioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/cell-no/)
[Waka Flock-uhhh? 🔥Waste of the WeekOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/alpr-flock/)
[Drones, Dogs & Donuts 🍩Waste of the Week (...but sent bi-weekly, I think)Opioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/drones-dogs-donuts/)
## Support Our
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### Opioid Settlement Community Website Support
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-community-templates/
Last updated: 2026-04-16T17:04:28.000Z
_No content available._
## Posts
### The New Yorker (7 Oct 2026)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/the-new-yorker-7-oct-2026/
Last updated: 2026-10-07T16:04:19.000Z
# [How the Billions from the Opioid Settlement Are Being Spent](https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/how-the-billions-from-the-opioid-settlement-are-being-spent)
We discuss the slow spending and the lack of local guidance (these things are connected!). Both these things contribute to misspending on law enforcement.
[Millions from the Opioid Settlement Are Being Spent on Law EnforcementPeople often call money from the opioid settlement “blood money,” and you might expect that it would go mostly to the families of people who died of overdoses. But much of it has gone to law enforcement—for squad cars, jail costs, drones, and more.The New YorkerOliver Whang](https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/how-the-billions-from-the-opioid-settlement-are-being-spent)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### 👀 Research UPDATE: AG Opioid Settlement Accountability
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/research-update-ag-opioid-settlement-accountability/
Last updated: 2026-09-24T14:15:10.000Z
## Our Research
In our 2025 [white paper](https://cryptpad.fr/file/#/2/file/iAuZEsyJwcGDf8mXk5kVKUT0/), OPI reviewed and surveyed websites for each US state and territory receiving opioid settlement dollars. We looked at state-level AG, auditor, opioid settlement, and other relevant websites. It was a lot of websites because each state has different names for these things, and as a PhD-trained researcher...sometimes I overdo it. 🤓🫠
Our initial goal was to *understand what process the AG and other relevant government entities had in place to receive complaints about how opioid settlement money is being spent.* At OPI, we call this problematic spendingopioid settlement waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement (**WFAM**).
In today's update, we're just ***focusing on the ability to report opioid settlement WFAM to AG websites.***
### *Why focus on AG websites?*
We argue that the AG is responsible for policing this spending because of the legal argument (*parens patriae)* they used to justify the opioid lawsuits against manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and other related groups. Of course, other government entities can (and probably should!) solicit information on WFAM, but ultimately the AG is the one who can take action when problematic spending arises.
We have also made the argument that accountability has to flow both ways. The AGs held the companies accountable for the issues that they contributed to the crisis. To us, it makes sense that they also hold the governments that are awarded this money accountable for making sure it goes towards addressing this same problem. Otherwise, what is the point?
> [Buffalo's opioid crisis wasn't due to a lack of lawnmowers.](https://investigativepost.org/2026/08/07/new-york-hands-off-in-local-spending-on-opioid-addiction-funds/) When this money is spent on stuff like that...there should be some accountability.
Besides the AG being ultimately responsible for ensuring governments are accountable for their opioid settlement spending, we also think that this sort of reporting mechanism is important for community members that are working to ensure the money is spent as intended. [OPI and volunteers have identified over $200 million in problematic spending, and this is far from all of it.](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability-hub) People deserve a process for those issues to be adjudicated. Community members should have the ability to take action (beyond just tearing down a Flock camera) and there should be meaningful accountability for any WFAM.
I will also say, having reviewed all these websites a few times, there are ways to report countless *other* problems to the AG offices. Most websites have a big old "FILE A COMPLAINT" or some sort of button right on the home page/nav bar.
This is great!
Except when it comes to opioid settlements...the challenge we continue to see is that the "FILE A COMPLAINT" button takes you to a wall of things you *could* report, and none are opioid settlement issues. When I'm on these websites, it's never clear what to do. Is opioid settlement WFAM a consumer complaint? Public corruption? Civil rights issue?
We're being unreasonable...we don't need the opioid settlement WFAM button to be on the nav bar...but it should be an option on these complaint pages/forms, and it should be linked to by other websites (like if the state has an opioid settlement advisory group website, etc).
And it's not like AG websites don't have dedicated issues people can report on these complaint pages. They just don't have opioid settlements as one of these issues!
In Montana, the AG website has a call out for **tow truck complaints**. Minnesota added one about **social media use and addiction** (?). And Kansas has a menu item to report complaints about **unregistered roofers** and something about **scrap metal dealers**.
I'm certain that these are all problems in those specific states, and people should be able to easily report them! But it strikes me that if the AG can make those things clear, they should also make it straightforward to report opioid settlement WFAM.
For that reason, we continue to advocate for an easy way for people to report these problems to the people responsible for accountable spending: **AG offices!**
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Opioid Settlement Money and Addiction Treatment in Carceral Settings (Part 1)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-money-and-addiction-treatment-in-c-part-1/
Last updated: 2026-09-17T19:09:37.000Z
In this series, we’re going to focus on: ***Should governments use opioid settlement money to cover medications for opioid use disorder/medication-assisted treatment (MAT/MOUD) in carceral settings?***
Let’s get this out of the way first. At the Opioid Policy Institute (OPI), we’re thrilled that United States jails and prisons are expanding access to MAT/MOUD for people with an opioid addiction!
**This is long overdue.**
Providing medical care to incarcerated people is a moral, ethical, and legal obligation. Addiction treatment medications are medical care. Historically, people who have been recently incarcerated have faced an extremely high risk of overdose, in part because they were denied these medications while incarcerated. Access to these MAT/MOUD in carceral settings has been shown to drastically reduce this risk. Yet, for years, these evidence-based treatments were withheld. Even from those already prescribed them. This neglect is immoral, unethical, and illegal.
Because these medications were denied, minor charges like theft or disorderly conduct became death sentences. People continue to die as a result of this medical neglect.
_This post is for subscribers only._
### MI Dems (16 Sept 2026)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/mi-dems-16-sept-2026/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T00:55:28.000Z
# [NEW REPORT: How Mike Rogers “Helped Fuel the Opioid Crisis” \[Drop Site News\]](https://michigandems.com/new-report-how-mike-rogers-helped-fuel-the-opioid-crisis-drop-site-news/)
> Rogers’ legislation was supported by “[multi-million dollar front group\[s\]](https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/mike-rogers-senate-opioids-oxycontin)” for the opioid industry. Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, slammed Rogers’ disastrous opioid record: “Rogers spent years in Congress pushing a bill that was clearly about training professionals to pump out more opioids, and worked behind the scenes with the companies that contributed to the crisis to get it passed. **At the end of the day, he was either stupid, an industry stooge, or both.”**
[In the News - Opioid Policy InstituteOur work has appeared in numerous media outletsOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/media/)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Abdul for Senate (16 Sept 2026)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/abdul-for-senate-16-sept-2026/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T00:59:06.000Z
# [ICYMI: Mike Rogers Under Fire As Big Pharma’s “Point Man” During the Opioid Crisis](https://abdulforsenate.com/2026/09/icymi-mike-rogers-under-fire-as-big-pharmas-point-man-during-the-opioid-crisis/)
> “Rogers spent years in Congress pushing a bill that was clearly about training professionals to pump out more opioids, and worked behind the scenes with the companies that contributed to the crisis to get it passed,” **says Jonathon Stoltman of the Opioid Policy Institute.** “At the end of the day, he was either stupid, an industry stooge, or both.”
[ICYMI: Mike Rogers Under Fire As Big Pharma’s “Point Man” During the Opioid CrisisGet the latest news about Abdul El-Sayed campaign for US Senate.Abdul for U.S. SenateArushi Avachat](https://abdulforsenate.com/2026/09/icymi-mike-rogers-under-fire-as-big-pharmas-point-man-during-the-opioid-crisis/)
[In the News - Opioid Policy InstituteOur work has appeared in numerous media outletsOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/media/)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Drop Site (15 Sept 2026)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/drop-site-15-sept-2026/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T00:47:41.000Z
# [Got Oxy? How Michigan’s Mike Rogers Helped Fuel the Opioid Crisis](https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/mike-rogers-senate-opioids-oxycontin)
> “In Michigan, we had a good sense that the dial was turning from heroin to overprescribed opioids by the early 2000s,” said Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “There were already janky local clinics in operation, and people were going across the border to pill mills in places like Toledo, Ohio. There were any number of data points where you could see what was happening—including Eminem songs.”
> “The PDMP law did not address the supply-side of the equation, and by supporting it Rogers was still running cover for big pharma,” said Stoltman of the Opioid Policy Institute. “The data base was used to kick people unceremoniously off opioids after they were addicted, with no plan or attempt to move them into treatment. A lot of people think this was a big driver of the transition to heroin and the second wave of the crisis.”
> “Rogers spent years in Congress pushing a bill that was clearly about training professionals to pump out more opioids, and worked behind the scenes with the companies that contributed to the crisis to get it passed,” says Stoltman of the Opioid Policy Institute. **“At the end of the day, he was either stupid, an industry stooge, or both.”**
[Got Oxy? How Michigan’s Mike Rogers Helped Fuel the Opioid CrisisThe Republican Senate candidate spent 10 years in Congress as Pharma’s point man working to push prescription opioids.Drop Site NewsAlexander Zaitchik](https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/mike-rogers-senate-opioids-oxycontin)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### ❤️🔥Unallowable Opioid Settlement Spending - New State
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/unallowable-opioid-settlement-spending-new-state-ma/
Last updated: 2026-09-03T12:18:19.000Z
Added: Massachusetts! 🦃🍩
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Opioid Settlement Wiki (Part 3)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-wiki-part-3/
Last updated: 2026-09-02T17:23:08.000Z
## The Power of a Wiki
In April, we were thrilled to launch the OPI Opioid Settlement Wiki. It provided the most comprehensive and up-to-date information about opioid settlements for each state and territory. Plus a Spanish language version (💃)! Plus a lot of OPI's research into reporting waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement (WFAM) and unallowable spending. Plus updated links to state resources. Plus plain-language writing style (and on and on).
Our continuous improvement approach is built on conducting monitoring scans every few months. This allows us to catch broken links and other outdated info. And, because it is a wiki, anyone can contribute to these pages (*with mods approving all edits*).
### Round 1 Improvements
- **Fixed 3 broken external links** that had been sending readers to dead pages, including Montana's fraud hotline, Georgia's opioid trust contact form, and Maryland's Inspector General form. All links worked on launch, so this shows that even subtle changes can lead to important information access issues (also, use redirects people!!)
- **Added a link to Michigan's unallowable spending list**.
- **Fixed a History bug across all pages.** The changes were being recorded, as is true of all wiki websites, but the history page was not accessible because of a url error. Oops. You can now *actually* see edits for each page.
- **Fixed a Login bug across some pages.** Occasionally, there was a URL issue due to the */en/* or */sp/* being part of the URL. That means on some pages when you clicked "login" it didn't send people to the login page where they can make edits. Double oops. Now fixed.
- **Brought the Spanish wiki fully in sync with English**. There had been some drift after English edits were made.
- **We have a form that people can use if they can't/don't want to create an account for wiki edits:**
- **Moderator application form:**
- **Removed every reference to the discussion board**. We shut it down yesterday. *Read more here:*
[OPI Forum Closed9.1.26 - Fail Fast, FriendsOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-forum-closed/)
## **Get involved**
### [Sign up to be a moderator](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/t/g1dbRnCz9Yus) or [submit an edit on our form](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/wiki-form)!
Find your state and see how settlement funds are being managed. Does something need to be updated? Sign up and suggest an edit. It's *your* resource.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
[Opioid Settlement Wiki (Part 2)wiki.opioidpolicy.orgOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-wiki-part-2/)
[Opioid Settlement Wiki (Part 1)wiki.opioidpolicy.orgOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-wiki-part-1/)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### OPI Forum Closed
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-forum-closed/
Last updated: 2026-09-01T23:25:43.000Z
In April 2026, we launched a new discussion board/forum to help give people a digital space to talk about the opioid settlement spending and related topics. The goal was to create a space outside of social media algorithms and big tech control. No tracking. Fully private and secure. We accomplished those goals, but the people did not follow.
Therefore, it failed!
We had a few dozen people people sign-up but no conversations besides spam (Want a time share in Belize?). And while it didn't cost a ton to run, it didn't cost zero dollars. We're a very lean organization and if it's not working, we've got to move on.
So, today, we shut it down.
To those that signed up, thank you for giving it a shot!
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Drug Boat, Strike!™️ Anniversary Edition
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/drug-boat-strike-tm-anniversary-edition/
Last updated: 2026-09-01T15:18:25.000Z
It's been **exactly one year** since the Trump administration launched the single most impactful opioid policy initiative ever attempted in the decades-long crisis: **blowing up boats in the Caribbean & Eastern Pacific to end the fentanyl crisis.**
When we first launched our video game tribute to the politicians enacting this drug policy, we were in the middle of what became a two-month lull in drug boat strikes. But even if the strikes never started back up (spoiler, they did!) we felt the need to memorialize this golden age of drug policy. One where we cut or tried to cut funding from all the things that worked to lower opioid overdose deaths to one that pours money into killing people on boats in the Caribbean & Eastern Pacific ***AND*** killing the people who used drugs in the United States through willful neglect. We lost sleep wondering if all the progress would be lost just because we're running out of missiles blowing up girls' schools in Iran.
But thankfully, last week, just in time for the 1-year anniversary, the drug boat strikes are back!
So we're releasing **Drug Boat, *Strike!™️*** with an Anniversary Edition to commemorate 1 year of great success!
[](https://drugboatstrike.com/)
Click Me!
## **Updates include:**
- **New stats:** 1,725,000 American lives saved\* and only \~$3.0 billion in costs
- **New intro sequence:** experience the double-tap decision that kicked off Operation Southern Spear
- **New boat:** Zuckerberg's $300,000,000 superyacht the Launchpad that ignored a nearby boat's distress calls
- **New victory sequences:** JD
Enjoy the Anniversary Edition! 🫡
*Rated M for Mature*
[Drug Boat, Strike!Protecting America from fentanyl with war crimes and million-dollar missiles against thousand-dollar boats that might have cocaine.](https://drugboatstrike.com/)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### 📆What Black Folks Should Know About Opioid Settlement Funds
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/what-black-folks-should-know-about-opioid-settlement-funds/
Last updated: 2026-09-02T19:27:58.000Z
In two weeks **(Monday, September 14th)** the National Black Harm Reduction Network (NBHRN) is hosting a webinar: ***What Black Folks Should Know About Opioid Settlement Funds***
This hour-long discussion will break down the landscape of settlement funds, talk through real strategies for influencing where money lands, and share what accountability can look like when Black-led organizations are driving the conversation instead of reacting to it. It will be an event jam-packed with information for community advocates and decision makers.
It is also a pay-what-you-want event, including free!
💡
To support the new collaboration between NBHRN & OPI (more details soon 👀...), ****OPI is matching the first $500 donated to this event**.
That means ****your $50 donation to this event becomes $100!**
****REGISTER**
What Black Folks Should Know About Opioid Settlement Funds
Webinar/Zoom
Monday, September 14
2 PM - 3 PM EDT
[Register ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-black-folks-should-know-about-opioid-settlement-funds-tickets-1996656327825?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep%5Ftld=true)
## Learn More
[What Black Folks Should Know About Opioid Settlement FundsThe money is moving. The question is who gets a say in where it goes.Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-black-folks-should-know-about-opioid-settlement-funds-tickets-1996656327825?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep%5Ftld=true)
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### New Team Member!
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/new-team-member-ella-durbin/
Last updated: 2026-08-28T18:55:42.000Z
Research thrives on collaboration, and we’re excited to grow our team with ***Ella Durbin***, who started this summer as our newest Research Assistant! Ella will mostly be helping out with a special project launching next week... so, you'll be seeing a lot of her in your inboxes very soon. Let's hear from her in her own words:
### **Tell us a little about your professional background.**
Hi! I’m Ella. I have a bachelor’s in politics and peace studies from Juniata College, where I studied public health through a peacebuilding lens. My interest in opioid policy grew when I had the opportunity through a previous internship to contribute to a database tracking opioid settlement funds across Appalachia. I’ve worked in advocacy and communications related to government spending and transparency, and my research focuses on decriminalization, harm reduction, and overdose mortality.
### **What drew you to research on opioid settlement funds and accountability?**
I’ve long been interested in drug policy, but it was through tracking settlement funds that I came to understand the importance of fiscal accountability. Community members should have access to information about how their lawmakers are spending opioid settlement money. But instead, despite transparency requirements, the information is embedded in long documents and meeting notes that aren’t accessible to most people. I want to help change that.
### **How do your prior professional experiences help prepare you to shape public health funding through this project?**
I previously contributed to the Appalachian Opioid Remediation database, monitoring news and government documents for opioid settlement-related developments across Appalachia. My work mainly focused on Ohio and Pennsylvania, but extended to all 423 counties in Appalachian states. During my academic career, I researched harm reduction, marijuana legalization, and overdose mortality. My senior thesis compared decriminalization and harm reduction policy in Portugal and Oregon to evaluate their impact on overdose fatalities.
### **What do you hope will come from this research into opioid settlement waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement?**
My hope is that someday (hopefully soon!), every community member has easy, unobstructed access to information about where opioid settlement money is flowing, in their locality and elsewhere. The decision-making process should include communities, and obtaining information should not be a maze of bureaucratic red tape. OPI’s research into WFAM is helping to make sure settlement money does what it is meant to do: *serve communities*.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
### NJ.com (26 Aug 2026)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/nj-com-26-aug-2026/
Last updated: 2026-08-27T21:51:54.000Z
# [The shocking items N.J. towns bought with opioid ‘blood money.’ Why has the state done nothing?](https://www.nj.com/news/2026/08/the-shocking-items-nj-towns-bought-with-opioid-blood-money-why-has-the-state-done-nothing.html?gift=e200efd3-2e27-47ad-9d2b-bcb654f254ab)
[In the News - Opioid Policy InstituteOur work has appeared in numerous media outletsOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/media/)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Health Affairs Forefront (17 Aug 2026)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/health-affairs-forefront-17-aug-2026/
Last updated: 2026-08-27T21:56:34.000Z
# [Ten Practices To Help Ensure Opioid Settlement Funds Heal Communities](https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/these-10-practices-can-help-ensure-opioid-settlement-funds-heal-communities)
> **4\. Adopt lists of unallowable expenditures.* Six states (California, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, South Carolina, and Virginia) have issued* [*lists of items on which opioid settlement funds* ](https://unallowablespending.opioidpolicy.org/)[*cannot*](https://unallowablespending.opioidpolicy.org/)[ *be spent*](https://unallowablespending.opioidpolicy.org/)*. These lists include things such as police equipment and incarceration costs. More states could issue such lists so that local decision makers are clear that using opioid settlement dollars to fund criminalization is off limits.*
[In the News - Opioid Policy InstituteOur work has appeared in numerous media outletsOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/media/)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### OPI Org Update
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-org-update-summer-2026/
Last updated: 2026-07-30T14:51:48.000Z
## A new website
Rebuilding our website from scratch was a massive undertaking. You may have noticed that some things moved around, and in the process, a few things might have been temporarily broken as we ironed out the bugs (apologies!). We take this downtime and temporary loss in functionality seriously. Just know that this website relaunch wasn't just some vanity project. The new website unlocks additional functionality and usability while maintaining our maximally private approach. Hopefully, it is a good experience for both new and returning visitors.
One of the best new features: if you need help, it’s now much easier to get in touch with us by clicking on our custy service buddy 🦦, who is now on every page. So, as you can tell, we also had fun with it! There are even a few Easter eggs we snuck in for the real sickos.
Thank you for your patience. We hope you like the new website!
[Opioid Policy InstituteAddressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction through research, advocacy, and resources for all audiences.Opioid Policy Institute](https://opioidpolicy.org)
## New projects, same priorities
To help organize our expansive work, we break things down into **priorities** and **projects**. Our **priorities** remain *civic tech, research,* and *advocacy*. Within and across these **priorities** are **projects**, like *opioid settlements* or *addiction privacy*. To help make sense of all this, we created a new subway map to visualize our work. It lives on all our websites and is interactive:
[](https://opioidpolicy.org/projects)
Priorities & Projects
## 2026 Projects
### Opioid settlements
- [**Opioid Settlement Wiki**](https://wiki.opioidpolicy.org) is a crowdsourced reference for people to learn and share knowledge about opioid settlements in their communities. Each state has a page full of background and OPI data relevant to your state.
- [**Unallowable Opioid Settlement Spending**](https://unallowablespending.opioidpolicy.org) is a searchable, sortable list of unallowable opioid settlement spending, with rationale drawn from the states that issued guidance and experts at OPI.
- [**Opioid Policy Briefs**](https://opioidpolicy.org/policy-briefs) are short-form analyses of good and bad opioid settlement spending, tailored for busy decision-makers.
- [**Opioid Settlement Data Liberation**](https://dataliberation.opioidpolicy.org) is helping community members unlock spending information through FOIA requests. A collaboration with MuckRock and the Data Liberation Project.
### Advocacy
- [**45 Million Dollar Watch**](https://45milliondollarwatch.org) we're keeping an eye on the $45M the New Jersey legislature stole from opioid settlement funds in July 2025\. A collab with Sea Change Recovery Community Organization and Harm Reduction Center (NJ).
- [**Drug Boat, Strike!**](https://drugboatstrike.com) brings the the war on drugs to your desktop in the stupidest way possible. Check out this OPI arcade classic.
### Civic tech
- [**OPI Settlement Sifter**](https://settlementsifter.opioidpolicy.org) is a custom app to help people sort through opioid settlement spending docs. It is powered by OPI's WFAM database and unallowable spending research.
- [**Discussion Board**](https://discuss.opioidpolicy.org) provides a forum for advocates, researchers, and people impacted by the opioid crisis to talk about settlement money.
- [**Mobtown Redux (Redux)**](https://mobtownredux.opioidpolicy.org) is a memorial archive honoring founder Logan Hullinger, who died March 6, 2026\. It is a 1:1 replication of his website and a tribute to his work as a harm reduction journalist.
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Drug Boat, Strike!™️
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/drug-boat-strike/
Last updated: 2026-07-29T11:15:20.000Z
It's been nearly a year since the Trump administration launched what we think is the single most impactful opioid policy initiative ever attempted in the decades-long crisis: **blowing up boats in the Caribbean to end the fentanyl crisis.**
By the administration's own *very* accurate math, **this operation has saved 1,650,000 American lives** and *only* cost \~$2.7 billion. Add that to the [***119*** to ***258 million lives***](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-fin/) saved from fentanyl during Trump 2.0's first 100 days in office, and this is by *far* the **best** drug policy we've ever seen.
To celebrate this smashing achievement, we spent the last few months developing a new website and game.
# **Introducing**
[](https://drugboatstrike.com/)
Click me!
In **Drug Boat, *Strike!***™️the war on drugs is back, except this time, it's run by true patriots. Join pilots **Pete, DJT, JD,** & **Little Marco** as they work to protect America from fentanyl by blowing up boats that *might* be transporting cocaine. 👊🇺🇸🔥
If you're thinking, *“Wait, didn't the* [*lamestream media*](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/07/27/operation-southern-spear-has-not-slowed-cocaine-entering-us/) *just report on the catastrophic failure of Operation Southern Spear?”*
To that we say: Who cares that the drug boat strikes didn't affect the supply, price or purity of cocaine coming into the US? They were focused on *fentanyl*. Wait…the drug boat strikes didn't impact fentanyl either…?
Enjoy the game!
*Rated M for Mature*
[Drug Boat, Strike!Protecting America from fentanyl with war crimes and million-dollar missiles against thousand-dollar boats that might have cocaine.](https://drugboatstrike.com/)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### ICYMI Data Liberation Project [Video] 📼
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/icymi-data-liberation-project-video/
Last updated: 2026-07-28T15:50:48.000Z
1. **Check out the 30-minute video of our conversation with Dillion from the MuckRock/Data Liberation project and Jonathan from OPI,** where we file the first official opioid settlement FOIA of this collab!
> Westland City, Michigan, reported spending $797,495.88 in opioid settlement money on: “*Other Strategies - Broad mearsures that support first responders to mitigate and respond to opioid related incidents, who are on the front lines of this epidemic.”*
>
> And since that's a LOT of money and a VAGUE statement on how it was spent, we decided to send over a FOIA to see what's what.
💡
Have you seen examples like this in your community?
Reach out, and we can help you file a request for more details at [**dataliberation.opioidpolicy.org*](https://dataliberation.opioidpolicy.org)
## **Launch event video**
[](https://dataliberation.opioidpolicy.org/#videos)
Click for video player
1. If you're interested in filing your *own* FOIAs related to opioid settlement money, **apply for access to the OPI's Opioid Settlement FOIA Community**.
[Apply to Join!](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/data-liberation)
1. **Check out our new website to learn more!**
[Data Liberation — Opioid Policy Institute and Data Liberation Project/MuckRockOpioid Policy Institute and Data Liberation Project from MuckRock helps community members request public records about opioid settlement spending.Opioid Settlement Data Liberation](https://dataliberation.opioidpolicy.org/)
## Join the watchdogs
[](https://dataliberation.opioidpolicy.org/)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### BBC News (28 July 2026) 🎧
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bbc-28-july-2026/
Last updated: 2026-07-28T16:31:01.000Z
# [Follow the Money: The antidote economy](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct8gr4)
In this interview with the BBC Audio Business Daily podcast, we cover a lot of ground...including our longstanding concerns with naloxone profiteering, how opioid settlements are missing an opportunity to increase access in high-risk populations by preferring splashy naloxone distribution on school buses, and the importance of naloxone saturation (or making sure the highest-risk people have the highest access, and the lowest cost products).
Until we decouple naloxone from profit motives, we're going to continue to have these problems with pricing and access. The goal for naloxone distribution is to get low-dose, low-cost naloxone into the hands of people at the highest risk. Importantly, this includes injectable naloxone, a product that has not been leveraged enough, especially with opioid settlement money.
We can and must do better.
Take a listen!
[BBC Audio | Business Daily | Follow the money: The antidote economyAn opioid overdose antidote costs a few dollars. Why doesn’t it always reach the patient?BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/w3ct8gr4)
Follow the Money: The antidote economy
0:00
/1048.450562
1×
[In the News - Opioid Policy InstituteOur work has appeared in numerous media outletsOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/media/)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### OPI x Data Liberation Project (& MuckRock)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-x-data-liberation-project-muckrock/
Last updated: 2026-07-21T18:28:45.000Z
---
States and cities are getting more than $55 billion from opioid settlements. This money is supposed to help our communities heal from the opioid crisis.
From a restorative justice framework, it's also *our* money because it was won from the harms to *our* community. For that reason, ***we deserve to know how it is spent.*** But this spending is often happening behind closed doors.
To help community members unlock this settlement spending info, the Opioid Policy Institute is partnering with the Data Liberation Project & MuckRock to launch our newest initiative: [**The Opioid Settlement Data Liberation Project**](https://dataliberation.opioidpolicy.org/)**!**
## Check out our new website!
[Data Liberation — Opioid Policy Institute and Data Liberation Project/MuckRockOpioid Policy Institute and Data Liberation Project from MuckRock helps community members request public records about opioid settlement spending.Opioid Settlement Data Liberation](https://dataliberation.opioidpolicy.org/)
## Wait, what is this?
We've built technical assistance for community members requesting opioid settlement data.
Our goal is to help **you** unlock spending data by leveraging public-records law. These requests, sometimes called FOIAs (Freedom of Information Act), can help you see spending decisions that are otherwise hidden. With FOIAs, you can ask for these files, and the government *has* to respond. But the process is confusing. The language is technical. People give up.
**That's where we come in.**
The [Opioid Policy Institute](https://opioidpolicy.org/) is working with the [Data Liberation Project](https://www.data-liberation-project.org/) and [MuckRock](https://www.muckrock.com/) to help people unlock spending with their powerful FOIA tools. And we're making these tools available for **free** for community members working to unlock opioid settlement data.
## **For our community, we offer:**
- A prebuilt list of agencies to request information from (or add your own with our help!).
- A ready-made, battle-tested template to request opioid settlement-related documents.
- The ability to easily track and reply to requests.
- The ability to receive documents.
- MuckRock technical support if you get stuck.
[Apply to Join!](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/data-liberation)
## Why do I have to sign up for something that's free?
To help make this service free for people interested in filing FOIAs related to opioid settlement money, we need to vet people before letting them into this community. Normally the MuckRock tools would cost $40-100/month, but because this is an important topic and Dillion is a cool dude, MuckRock/Data Liberation Project are hooking us up with free access, as long as we stay on topic.
### With this application, you'll tell OPI:
- Who you are and how to reach you
- What you want to know about opioid settlement spending, who you want to know about, and why
- Your plan for document fee payments *(we only offer free access to the MuckRock platform to file the FOIAs)*, filing, sorting, analyzing, and publicizing the info you get.
**OPI reviews every application.** If your request fits the project goals, you'll get invited to a mandatory onboarding call. During the call, you'll get onboarded to the MuckRock FOIA tool, and we'll answer any questions you have.
[Apply to Join!](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/data-liberation)
## Join the watchdogs!
[](https://dataliberation.opioidpolicy.org/)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Join the Watchdogs
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-settlement-sifter-pt2/
Last updated: 2026-07-21T15:25:20.000Z
## We created a guide to help you get the most out of the *OPI Opioid Settlement Sifter*
[Guide: OPI Settlement SifterHow to use the OPI Settlement Sifter: load spending files, sort items, review each pile, and export or push your work.Opioid Policy Institute](https://settlementsifter.opioidpolicy.org/guide)
## Quick tips:
1. **Load a file**: Excel, CSV, or PDF. The Sifter detects the columns and helps you map them. A wizard handles weird state spreadsheets and saves templates for reuse.
2. **Triage in Focus Sort**: review each item one at a time with keyboard shortcuts: Bad Spend (←), Good Spend (→), Needs Info (↑), Unspent (U), Miscategorized (M).
3. **Tag the what and why**: flag items on OPI's unallowable-spending list, mark ones that need a FOIA, add Exhibit E categories, and catch miscategorized spending.
4. **Export a report**: HTML, PDF, and CSV, with dollar totals per category and item-level detail (source URL, rationale, tags). Ready to share.
5. **(Optional) Push to OPI's database:** add your reviews to the shared WFAM dataset, with credit if you want it, so others can build on your work.
6. **(Optional) Working with a teammate?** Each of you exports a CSV, then merges them in the Diff tab with per-field conflict resolution.
**And it's private by design.**
Everything stays on your computer. The app only touches the internet to: (required) check for updates and validate licenses, (optionally) pull the daily unallowable-spending feed, and (optionally) push reviews to the OPI WFAM database.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
## Download
**→** [**Download for Windows**](https://software.opioidpolicy.org/settlement-sifter/stable/Settlement-Sifter-Setup-Windows.exe) **🪟**
**→** [**Download for Mac**](https://software.opioidpolicy.org/settlement-sifter/stable/Settlement-Sifter-macOS.zip) **🍎**
**→** *Linux coming soon* 🐧
> When you're ready to load your own data, [**request an access token**](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/sifter-auth).
## **Access**
**It's free** for community members, community-based organizations, unfunded academic researchers, and journalists. Everyone else (universities, agencies, consultancies, people with money, etc.) needs a commercial license. That's how we keep it free for everyone else.
We have put hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars into developing this tool **without grant funding or external support** because settlement spending should be transparent and accountable. That said, we are committed to making this available for everyone.
[**Download the Sifter →**](https://settlementsifter.opioidpolicy.org/#download)
[**Request access to load your own data →**](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/sifter-auth)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Introducing the OPI Opioid Settlement Sifter 🤓
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-settlement-sifter-pt1/
Last updated: 2026-07-16T14:09:24.000Z
## Why Do We Need This?
States, counties, cities, territories, and tribes are spending more than **$55 billion** in opioid settlement funds. That money is supposed to reduce opioid-related deaths and disease by funding evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. But the decisions are buried in long PDFs and messy spreadsheets.
**And, as we all know...that money isn't always going where it *should*.**
So we built something to help you sort through that data so that you can highlight good and bad spending in your community.
This tool helps you go from a messy spreadsheet to a polished report. It helps you catch miscategorized items to create a *true* accounting of spending. It helps you flag unallowable spending with help from OPI's state-by-state database of unallowable spending.
[Introducing ***The OPI Opioid Settlement Sifter*** desktop app!](https://settlementsifter.opioidpolicy.org/)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
## Get Started
**→** [**Download for Windows**](https://software.opioidpolicy.org/settlement-sifter/stable/Settlement-Sifter-Setup-Windows.exe) **🪟**
**→** [**Download for Mac**](https://software.opioidpolicy.org/settlement-sifter/stable/Settlement-Sifter-macOS.zip) **🍎**
**→** *Linux coming soon* 🐧
> When you're ready to load your own data, [**request an access token**](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/sifter-auth).
🐞
**\*This app is in beta, meaning it may have some small issues, especially on Mac, where it has not been demoed as thoroughly because I hate Macs.*
**Let us know if you run into any bugs, and we'll help fix it!*
## How It Works
- Load any spending file (Excel, CSV, or PDF).
- Quickly and accurately classify each item as **Bad, Good, Needs Info,** or **Miscategorized**.
- Cross-reference **Bad** spending against OPI's state-by-state database of *unallowable* spending (includes a rationale written by experts at OPI!)
- Export a clean report.
- And, i*f you want*, push your findings to [OPI's crowdsourced waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement (WFAM) database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability-hub).
[Guide: OPI Settlement SifterHow to use the OPI Settlement Sifter: load spending files, sort items, review each pile, and export or push your work.Opioid Policy Institute](https://settlementsifter.opioidpolicy.org/guide)
## About
**It runs entirely on your machine.** Your reviews stay local until *you* decide to export or share them.
**It's free** for community members, community-based organizations, unfunded academic researchers, and journalists. Everyone else (universities, agencies, consultancies, people with money, etc.) needs a commercial license. That's how we keep it free for everyone else.
We have put hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars into developing this tool **without grant funding or external support** because settlement spending should be transparent and accountable. That said, we are committed to making this available for everyone with a pay-what-you-can pricing model.
[**Download the Sifter →**](https://settlementsifter.opioidpolicy.org/#download)
[**Request access to load your own data →**](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/sifter-auth)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### OPI CLI 🤓
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-cli/
Last updated: 2026-07-08T14:32:11.000Z
Opioid settlement money is supposed to help people. But sometimes it gets wasted or misused…For years, our team at OPI and people like you have tracked these cases in our waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement database (WFAM).
Until now, you had to click around on our website to see this data or download it and deal with a massive CSV. This has all worked *pretty* well (we think!). And you can still do that, if you prefer, but there's an old-school techie way to quickly access and interact with large amounts of data. With our CLI tool, you can, for example, regularly check on your state's WFAM with a simple command. Or check out the unallowable spending list in your state (if it has one!). All our data is up there. We'll keep improving the tool over time, but know that the data is always up-to-date in between new features, and it's got a lot of cool stuff to start.
Admittedly, this is all super nerdy…but as part of the website redesign, we realized we have a lot of data sloshing around, and it's a good opportunity to roll out some new features.
And we're nerds…so, ya.
*Here is how to start with the OPI CLI tool, even if you have never done this before.*
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
## Try the OPI CLI on your computer in 3 steps
### **Step 1: Install Node. It is free.**
Node is a small, free program that runs the tool in your terminal.
Open the link below to find your installer. Pick the button that says “LTS.”
Install it like any other app.
[Download Node.js (v18+)](https://nodejs.org/en/download).
***Or***
Run one of these commands in your terminal:
- Windows: `winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS`
- Apple: `brew install node`
- Linux: `sudo apt install nodejs npm`
### **Step 2: Open your terminal (or keep it open if you used it to install Node).**
Open your terminal:
\- Windows: click Start, type `PowerShell`, and press Enter.
\- Apple: press Command and the spacebar, type `Terminal`, and press Enter.
A plain window opens. That's your terminal! It's where you type commands!
### **Step 3: Type one line and press Enter.**
`npx opioidpolicy`
The first time, your computer downloads the tool.
Then it shows a menu of everything you can do.
That is it.
You are in!
Now you just need to type commands to get access to various pieces of OPI data!
Try `opi help`
Jacking into the matrix
## What does “type a command” mean?
If you're still reading, we got you!
A **command** is a short instruction you type into the terminal on your computer.
You do not need to be a coder. You can copy a line, paste it, and press Enter. Many terminals save commands, so if you hit the up arrow, you can find old commands that you used.
[We use Warp for terminal commands](https://www.warp.dev/download), but you don't need special software (and we don't pay for it). Every computer has a terminal!
> Want to try the CLI with zero setup?
> [Visit our browser version](https://opioidpolicy.org/cli) and type `help` to start exploring.
## Fun things to try
Copy any line below, paste it, and press Enter.
### See the welcome screen:
`opi`
or
`npx opioidpolicy`
### See the WFAM big picture:
`opi wfam stats`
or
`npx opioidpolicy wfam stats`
### See flagged WFAM in your state.
`opi wfam MI`
or
`npx opioidpolicy wfam MI`
*Change `MI` to your two-letter state code!*
### Read OPI's 8 simple rules for spending settlement money well:
`opi opioid-settlement --quick-rules`
or
`npx opioidpolicy opioid-settlement --quick-rules`
### Walk through the F.I.T. test Tony developed. This is a quick way to judge whether a spending idea is a good one:
`opi opioid-settlement --fit-test`
or
`npx opioidpolicy opioid-settlement --fit-test`
> Tired of typing `npx opioidpolicy` every time?
> Install the OPI CLI with `npm i -g opioidpolicy`.
> After that you can just type `opi`. For example: `opi wfam stats`.
### Need help? The tool can explain itself.
`opi help
opi help wfam`
or
`npx opioidpolicy help
npx opioidpolicy help wfam`
*`help` lists every command. `help wfam`, or `help` plus any command name, shows what that one does, with examples.*
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
## A Full Cheat Sheet
### **Get help**
```
opi help list every command
opi help wfam details for one command (works for any)
opi examples example commands to copy
```
### **Settlement guidance**
```
opi opioid-settlement --quick-rules OPI's 8 spending rules
opi opioid-settlement --fit-test the F.I.T. test
opi opioid-settlement --decision-matrix decision grids
opi opioid-settlement --transparency-best-practices 8 transparency standards
opi opioid-settlement --policy-briefs where to read briefs
```
### **OPI projects and research**
```
opi projects every OPI project
opi whitepapers research papers (PDFs)
```
### **WFAM database** (waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement)
```
opi wfam stats totals: dollars documented and record count
opi wfam MI one state (use your 2 letter code)
opi wfam all every record
opi wfam --search "drone" search the records
```
### **Unallowable spending**
```
opi unallowable-spending MI flagged spending in a state
opi unallowable-spending MI law-enforcement police spending only
opi unallowable-spending all everything flagged
```
### **AG accountability**
```
opi accountability MI your state's reporting path
```
**Tip:** If you have not installed the tool, start any command with `npx opioidpolicy`. For example: `npx opioidpolicy wfam stats`. Or install it once with `npm i -g opioidpolicy` and just type `opi` when you open your terminal.
Enjoy!
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Opioid Settlement Wiki (Part 2)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-wiki-part-2/
Last updated: 2026-06-17T12:14:49.000Z
## The *first* crowdsourced edits
In April, we were thrilled when a state official reached out, hoping to update their state's page. This is *exactly* what we were hoping for when creating a wiki that the community could use to keep information up-to-date. Who better than a state official to know what is going on with the money in their state?
But, we ran into an issue...they couldn't create an account on their government computer/internet! Drats.
This pointed out a flaw with the: create account ➡️ update wiki workflow. Not everyone wants another account to keep track of, especially if it's just a small edit. The account creation process added unnecessary friction. Then there was the issue with the government internet...instead of trying to get whitelisted across every state internet provider, we decided to make contributing to the [OPI Opioid Settlement Wiki](https://wiki.opioidpolicy.org) even easier.
### Wiki Edit Form
We now have a form that people can use if they can't/don't want to create an account for wiki edits:
This response goes to the OPI team. We vet the information and make the edits. It's not *quite* as seamless as making edits directly to the page, but it is important to increase ways people can contribute.
### Moderator Form
For those interested in being more involved and taking ownership of a page or pages, we have the moderator form.
Make sure to check 'wiki' when filling out the form!
## **Get involved**
### [Sign up to be a moderator](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/t/g1dbRnCz9Yus) or [submit an edit on our form](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/wiki-form)!
Find your state and see how settlement funds are being managed. Does something need to be updated? Sign up and suggest an edit. It's *your* resource.
[Visit the wiki to learn more](https://wiki.opioidpolicy.org)!
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Opioid Settlement Wiki (Part 1)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-wiki-part-1/
Last updated: 2026-06-16T16:28:03.000Z
In April, we launched the [OPI Opioid Settlement Wiki](https://wiki.opioidpolicy.org). Building it took +150 hours of research, +20 hours of initial setup, +100 citations, and the costs to host this website. Like all of our work, we did this *without* grant funding.
*So why do it?*
Because we identified a gap and felt that we were well-positioned to address it through our technical and subject matter expertise. We hope this wiki helps more people plug into the effort to understand and steer opioid settlement money.
## What **gap are we filling?**
People reach out to us regularly for help making sense of opioid settlement stuff. Some things we handle in-house, but we often rely on the work of others. When we link externally, that resource has to actually work. Outdated information and broken links are an issue for the person we gave that info to, but it's also a credibility issue for us. It turns people away from this effort, and there are already many subtle (and some not so subtle) ways that people are kept out of these conversations.
Existing resources, including the main “comparable” one, have fallen out of date (last revised in 2024). After repeated requests to get information updated were dismissed and ignored, we decided to build something better: a crowdsourced opioid settlement wiki.
## Why a wiki?
To make sure this information remains open and accurate, we decided to use the “wiki” formats (most famously this is the tech behind Wikipedia).
Wikis are by nature open to external contributions, which is perfect for a topic this fluid. The opioid settlement topic is not static. New settlements happen. Government responses shift (or just their website URLs). The minute something is published, it risks going out of date, except when it is a wiki that anyone can edit.
Traditional static websites can't keep up with this information ecosystem. Wikis distribute that responsibility to the crowd, people who are often closer to the truth anyway. A community member in Pennsylvania or Wyoming knows what's happening in their state better than any national effort can. Importantly, a wiki also gives them a place to contribute as the expert.
Wikis also have built-in accountability: moderators, approval criteria, and a design that pushes toward accuracy over time.
Now if you find a dead link or outdated info on our wiki, *you* can update it or tell us to, and we'll handle it. Combined with our plan for reviews, this will always be the most current source for this information.
## **Inclusive language is a principle, not a style choice.**
We aim for a 5th-grade reading level across everything we publish, including the wiki. The wiki also includes this information in Spanish, much of it for the first time. That takes significant effort, but it matters. Opioid settlement information written in dense legalese or just English isn't an accident. It's a way to keep people out of conversations about their communities. OPI rejects that model and works to create more open and inclusive conversations about opioid settlement money.
## **What's in the OPI Opioid Settlement Wiki?**
The OPI Opioid Settlement Wiki is a publicly readable and editable state-by-state reference covering how opioid settlement funds are structured, planned, spent, evaluated, overseen, and enforced across the country.
To build the initial wiki, we spent +150 hours reviewing state websites. We also reviewed existing resources from non-state third-parties and pulled in OPI's original research into waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement (WFAM) reporting processes, unallowable opioid settlement spending, and collaborations with Reporting on Addiction to create a resource that we feel speaks across audiences. Combined, this research contributed to the +200 citations to outside websites.
This information is available in **English** and **Spanish**.
## **Get involved**
### [Sign up to be a moderator](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/t/g1dbRnCz9Yus) or [visit the wiki to learn more](https://wiki.opioidpolicy.org)!
Find your state and see how settlement funds are being managed. Does something need to be updated? Sign up and suggest an edit. It's *your* resource.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Verite News (28 May 2026)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/verite-news-28-may-2026/
Last updated: 2026-07-23T15:42:56.000Z
# [Jefferson Parish, which has seen the most overdose deaths in the state, is getting tens of millions in opioid settlement money. But it has yet to spend much of it.](https://veritenews.org/2026/05/28/opioid-settlement-jefferson-parish/)
Jefferson Parish is a suburban parish that will receive $65 million in opioid settlements. In the three years since they started receiving the first chunk of money, the only way they have spent it is on a new drug court. And, as you might have guessed...we have *thoughts...*
> Jonathan Stoltman directs the Opioid Policy Institute, a nonprofit that tracks how communities spend opioid settlement money nationwide. He said Jefferson Parish’s approach raises a fundamental question.
>
> “When I think of money spent on a drug court, my first question is always, how was that identified as the most pressing need for this money?” he said.
>
> Drug courts aren’t necessarily a bad use of funds, Stoltman said. But it puts treatment at the discretion of judges, who may or may not know best practices when it comes to addiction medicine. A judge might assume that “going cold turkey” — stopping all drug and alcohol use immediately and without additional support — is better than [medication-assisted treatment](https://americanaddictioncenters.org/addiction-medications).
>
> “A judge isn’t a doctor. And when we think about a medical issue, we should be having people working with doctors, not with judges,” he said.
Keep in mind that Jefferson Parish has the highest rate of opioid-related overdoses in Louisiana.
> “Understandably, a lot of blame goes towards the companies for creating the crisis,” Stoltman said. “But the crisis was a crisis because we had no public health infrastructure to respond to it, or the public health infrastructure was inadequate.”
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### Fox 17 WXMI (27 May 2026)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/fox-17-wxmi-27-may-2026/
Last updated: 2026-07-23T15:20:04.000Z
# ['People are dying right now': Advocates say unused opioid settlement money could save lives](https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/east-grand-rapids-forest-hills-cascade/people-are-dying-right-now-advocates-say-unused-opioid-settlement-money-could-save-lives)
#
Here at OPI, every opioid settlement dollar matters. Even just $10,000/year. In addition to our national work, we keep a close eye on local spending (or not spending) to help try to steer it towards helpful uses.
> Dr. Jonathan Stoltman with the Opioid Policy Institute recently brought concerns about unspent funds to the East Grand Rapids City Commission.
>
> "If even half of that went to a group like the Red Project (a Grand Rapids based syring service program), that money would go to work immediately, helping save lives, as opposed to sitting there for a couple of years and people are dying," Stoltman said.
[‘People are dying right now’: Advocates say unused opioid settlement money could save livesCommunities across Michigan have received millions of dollars through opioid settlements, but advocates say some money is still sitting unspent while organizations working with addiction and recovery could use it to save lives.FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI)Cassandra Alonso](https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/east-grand-rapids-forest-hills-cascade/people-are-dying-right-now-advocates-say-unused-opioid-settlement-money-could-save-lives)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### OPI Personnel Update
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tony-graduates/
Last updated: 2026-05-20T15:27:22.000Z
Hello! **Big** announcement today.
Congratulations to **Antonella *"Tony"* Peterson** for completing her Master of Public Health (MPH) at the Yale School of Public Health, focusing on health informatics! 🎉🎉🎉
Antonella and the fam enjoying graduation weekend in New Haven
But this is bittersweet, because it also means that Tony will no longer be an OPI Research Assistant. 😭😭😭
As y'all know, Tony has contributed *tremendously* to the OPI mission since she started her capstone work in Fall 2025\.
You have seen her lead webinars about the [F.I.T. Test ](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-fit-test/)[(check it!)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-fit-test/), author numerous newsletters about [opioid settlement Waste, Fraud, Abuse, and Mismanagement](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/wfam-newsletter/) (WFAM), co-author the [Unallowable Spending whitepaper](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/unallowable-opioid-settlement-spending-2026/), and lead the development of [the opioid settlement WFAM Policy Briefs](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/wfam-policy-brief/). And that is just the public-facing work!
All of this was done while balancing MPH coursework, mentoring, and her full-time job as an Army captain at Ft. Riley, where she took command of Irwin Army Community Hospital (IACH) Medical Company this January.
We know big things are in store for whatever you decide to take on next!
## New Hires
Research thrives on collaboration, and we’re excited to grow the OPI team with Antonella “Tony” Peterson, MPH, who starts in June as our newest ***OPI Research Associate!***
Tony, formerly an OPI Research Assistant, will continue to lead our work on WFAM Policy Briefs (we have a bunch more coming out soon!), the WFAM newsletter, and some fun *new* projects we have been cooking up...
NB, Tony will be staying on full-time in her command position at Ft. Riley, so we're thrilled that she has decided to lend her leisure time to advancing this work.
Welcome, Tony!
[☕ Buy Tony a Coffee](https://ko-fi.com/tonypeterson)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### ❤️🔥Unallowable Opioid Settlement Spending - New State
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/unallowable-opioid-settlement-spending-mi/
Last updated: 2026-05-14T17:31:14.000Z
Added: Michigan! 🫱✋
_This post is for subscribers only._
### 🚀New Resource: Interactive Unallowable Opioid Settlement Spending Website
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/unallowable-spending-website/
Last updated: 2026-05-11T13:17:20.000Z
A live, searchable companion to our April 1 white paper. Browse what states have flagged as unallowable, with additional context and items from the experts at OPI.
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Naloxbox, the Nox Box 🚫📦
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/noxbox/
Last updated: 2026-05-05T11:57:59.000Z
Look, y'all…we ***love naloxone***. We really do. **Naloxone saves lives.** Full stop. Reversing an opioid overdose with naloxone literally brings someone back from the dead. It is a miracle. Like vaccines for infectious disease, naloxone is a transformative leap in public health.
If you're working in this space, you likely know someone who is here today because of naloxone. This crisis has been *horrible.* It is difficult to fathom how much worse it would be without naloxone.
This is a lot of throat clearing to say: **we support low-dose/low-cost naloxone being saturated in high-risk communities.** It remains one of the best ways to drive our communities to zero overdose deaths and increase overall health and well-being.
But, as always, profiteers can’t resist cashing in during a crisis.
Yes, we're talking about communities spending settlement dollars on those little plastic boxes *that don't even come with naloxone*.
How much do those plastic boxes cost? Keep in mind, comparable metal AED cabinets cost \~$75 online. So for a plastic box it must be…
$5? $50? $150? Over $274?
Yes, you read that right.
Communities are spending opioid settlement dollars on a fancy wall-mounted plastic box. And it comes with no naloxone. And it is only for use indoors.
Buying these boxes is like buying a designer fire extinguisher **case** (*sans extinguisher*), calling the media, and holding a presser about the remarkable fire safety efforts in your community.
We have to ask, why is this level of waste ok for the opioid crisis?
[☕ Buy Tony a Coffee](https://ko-fi.com/tonypeterson)
#### Quick WFAM Project Updates (05.04.2026)
Our [database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability) is at ****719 WFAM examples**
📈 ****+25 WFAM** examples since last post
Current ****WFAM Total: \~$40.5 mil**
📈 ****+$0.4mil** since last post
## NaloxBox: The $275 Nox Box 📦
Today, we're calling out spending opioid settlement money on branded naloxone storage that ships *without* naloxone.
#### ****NaloxBox (and other naloxone storage) (+$458,977)**
- ****Vendor:** NaloxBox (RIDMAT, Inc.), ONEBox (West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute, Inc.), Rapid Risk Reductions (R3)
- ****Where:** California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania
- ****Initial Spending:** Storage container purchase ($100–$400 per unit; **naloxone not included*)
- ****Long-term Costs:** Storage container, installation, initial naloxone, restocking naloxone, maintenance
- ****AKA:** Naloxone box, wall-mounted naloxone unit, naloxone case, naloxone distribution boxes, ONEbox, NaloxBox
## Background
Let's start with what's actually happening here.
_This post is for subscribers only._
### 45milliondollarwatch.org
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/nj-45-million-dollar-watch/
Last updated: 2026-04-28T15:52:57.000Z
## Wait, what happened?
On June 30th, 2025, New Jersey legislators raided **$45 million** from the state opioid settlement fund in the middle of the night and handed it to four hospitals with billion-dollar budgets. No hearing. No debate. A blatant violation of the intention of this money.
This was not an accident. The state was not confused. It's doing what it has done for the full 26 years of this opioid overdose crisis and drug crises before that. It is ignoring the needs of impacted communities.
## Our Response
We built [45milliondollarwatch.org](https://45milliondollarwatch.org) with the [Sea Change Recovery Community Organization and Harm Reduction Center](https://seachangerco.org/) to serve as a constant reminder that this money is *still* gone, that we have not forgotten this betrayal, and that we demand action. **Return the money and protect this from ever happening again.**
This fight isn't just about NJ. Every state opioid settlement dollar is susceptible to shenanigans like this. We appreciate those working to protect and spend this money well, but we will not stay silent when people and governments violate the intention of this money.
Meanwhile, the real work continues where it always has: in the vans handing out naloxone, syringes, and wound care kits; in the drop-in centers; and in the recovery housing helping people transition out of the carceral system. The things opioid settlement money is supposed to support. The things that help our communities heal. That helps them become safer and healthier.
## **Two things you can do right now:**
**1 Sign on** **at 45MillionDollarWatch.org.** Add your name or your organization to the growing list of watchdogs demanding accountability:
[Join the Watchdogs](https://actionnetwork.org/forms/45-million-was-taken-we-want-it-back?source=direct%5Flink&)
**2 Share the site with your network** by forwarding this email, website, or sharing the link: [**45milliondollarwatch.org**](https://45milliondollarwatch.org)**.**
### **Bonus Actions!**
[Email a NJ Legislator](https://actionnetwork.org/letters/cfaa63bb2216f60cda8c949796e1bfe57d7c748f?source=direct%5Flink&)
[Email the NJ Govenor](https://actionnetwork.org/letters/restore-the-45-million-in-opioid-settlement-funds-2?source=direct%5Flink&)
Thanks to Sea Change and every advocate who refused to let this get buried.
[$45 Million Dollar Watch | NJ Opioid Settlement AccountabilityTrack how New Jersey spends $45 million in opioid settlement funds.NJ Opioid Settlement Money Accountability](https://45milliondollarwatch.org/)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### DEA Takeback Day (Come and Take It!🐍)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/dea-takeback-day/
Last updated: 2026-04-22T16:19:33.000Z
Look y'all... This Saturday, April 25th, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, an event organized by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). It’s the 30th one, in fact (events are \~2/year). And if you’re one of the +4,000 communities that participates, great. It’s not a bad idea to remind people to clean out their medicine cabinets. Getting unused and expired prescriptions out of the home is a reasonable public health practice. We support safe drug disposal.
But we will call out when communities spend **opioid settlement dollars** on a program that mostly collects expired blood pressure meds, while people are still dying from the unpredictable and unregulated drug supply.
Yes, you read that right.
Communities are spending opioid settlement money to host, promote, and staff events for a program that operated *just fine* without settlement dollars…oh, and the medications collected are overwhelmingly *not opioids.* And you can just flush opioids down the toilet anyway. If this sounds familiar...yes, it's basically the same problem we pointed out with Deterra and other drug disposal pouches.
[Don’terra!💊🚽Another WFAM - Waste of the Week where communities are paying for a product that is not more effective than a toiletOpioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/donterra/)
What are we doing, y’all? This is like paying for a car wash when it’s raining outside.
[☕ Buy Tony a Coffee](https://ko-fi.com/tonypeterson)
#### Quick WFAM Project Updates (04.22.2026)
Our [database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability) is at ****694 WFAM examples**
📈 ****+45 WFAM** examples since last post
Current ****WFAM Total: \~$40.1 mil**
📈 ****+$0.9mil** since last post
## DEA Take Back Day 🚯
Today, we’re calling out spending opioid settlement money on drug take-back events:
#### Drug Take Back Day Events (+$76,112)
- ****Where**: California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York
- ****Initial Spending**: Event materials (pamphlets, signs, etc), staff time
- ****Unallowable spending in**: N/A
- ****AKA**: DEA Drug Take Back Day, National Prescription Take Back Day, National Take Back Initiative
## Background
Let’s start with what DEA Take Back Day actually is.
_This post is for subscribers only._
### VA.gov links on VA.gov SUD Locator are also BROKEN (Part 2)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/va-gov-sud-locator-broken/
Last updated: 2026-04-20T17:12:05.000Z
As it goes with link rot…the FindTreatment.gov database wasn't ever the *only* place that the broken VA.gov URLs are a problem. Our research from last week highlighted the edges of an issue with how the VA and SAMHSA are handling URLs: **61% of the VA.gov URLs on FindTreatment.gov (SAMHSA's website) are *broken***.
This is bad, sloppy, preventable, and fixable.
[⁉️61% of VA.gov links on FindTreatment.gov are BROKEN👊🏻 🇺🇸🔥Opioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/va-findtreatment-broken/)
## How did this happen (the VA part of the issue)?
_This post is for subscribers only._
### ⁉️61% of VA.gov links on FindTreatment.gov are BROKEN
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/va-findtreatment-broken/
Last updated: 2026-04-20T15:08:06.000Z
# Findings
There are **223 Veterans Affairs (VA) VA.gov URLs** in the March 23rd FindTreatment.gov database. **136 are verified dead links (61%). This means those links return 404 errors or fail to connect** (example: ).
That means when you go to FindTreatment.gov to find addiction treatment as a veteran, **61% of the time the links will give you an error instead of connecting you with care.**
**That is unacceptable.**
0:00
/0:24
1×
Short screencap video showing the problem (April 11, 2026)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
_This post is for subscribers only._
### MiDUD (Part 4)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/midud-part-4/
Last updated: 2026-04-13T12:54:21.000Z
# [Critics say Michigan’s addiction treatment locator plagued by access and data issues](https://michiganadvance.com/2026/04/13/critics-say-michigans-addiction-treatment-locator-plagued-by-access-and-data-issues/)
🤡
If you're new here, the short version: the State of Michigan built an addiction treatment locator, launched it despite knowing it was broken, and continues to actively promote a broken resource.
Will there be accountability? Will there be a functional way for people to find evidence-based addiction treatment in Michigan? Stay tuned to find out!
🚨Important coverage from [Kyle Davidson](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#) at [Michigan Advance](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#) this morning about the MiSUD addiction treatment locator tool ***still*** being broken two months after our testimony (and \~18 months after launch).
**Hits on all the highlights (lowlights):**
1. Doesn't work on mobile (still)
2. Doesn't route people to the PHIP (Michigan-specific thing IYKYK)
3. Doesn't have all the places it should and has places it shouldn't
4. Privacy issues
5. Doesn't have relevant data for folks (pregnant, co-occuring, etc)
6. The website can't fix the biggest problem, which is that no matter the website the treatment infrastructure is a nightmare to navigate with multiple phone calls and other barriers
**Again, this is the format MDHHS considers to be usable on mobile (that's real):**
[](https://app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrIjoiM2Y0NzNhZWUtMmE0Ni00MmExLWFkMGYtYWY2YjI1OTMyNWJlIiwidCI6ImQ1ZmI3MDg3LTM3NzctNDJhZC05NjZhLTg5MmVmNDcyMjVkMSJ9)
Android Chrome browser screenshot (3.12.26 - verified 4.13.26). It has been this way since September 2025\. It was just as bad from Nov 2024 - Sept 2025.
## What we're (*still*) demanding
We continue to call on MDHHS to rethink tools like the MiSUD Addiction Treatment Locator and view them as critical government infrastructure.
### OPI's recommendations to address this problem:
1. **Immediately halt promotion** of the MiSUD Locator until its deficiencies are resolved. (They just promoted it again on Facebook a couple of weeks ago.)
2. **Redirect MiSUD web traffic** to FindTreatment.gov
3. **Establish accountability** for the decisions to launch and promote a tool known to be deficient.
1. This lands at the MDHHS director's desk, who said, [*“I am proud of the work we have done to expand access to substance use disorder treatment for Michigan families,”* said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. *“This tool can help residents find treatment and recovery locations across the state to ensure they are connected to the services they need when and where they need them.”*](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26218927-for-immediate-release-sud-mapping-tool-added-to-mi-bridges-site-to-help-residents-find-treatment-and-recovery-providers/#document/p1/a2676693)
2. Seriously.
4. **Engage the public** in a genuine evaluation of whether Michigan should build a proper state-level locator and what that would entail.
Let us know what you think and what you're seeing in your community. We're here to help and open to feedback.
🎯
***Remember** *: This addiction treatment locator website was launched during an addiction crisis.*
**People are trying to find life-saving services.*
***If you announce a way for people to find life saving services, people are going to use it... so it better work.**
## Check out the news coverage:
## The backstory
[MiDUD (Part 3)I doubt that’s what MVP means... why “good enough” isn’t good enough for public health infrastructureOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/midud-part-3/)
[MiDUD (Part 2)UPDATE: We Testified Before the Michigan Legislature YesterdayOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/midud-part-2/)
[MiDUD (Part 1)Behind the scenes of the disastrous Michigan’s MiSUD addiction treatment locator websiteOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/midud-part-1/)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
---
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### 🤔 Two New OPI Tools for Communities 🤓
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/discuss-and-wiki-launch/
Last updated: 2026-09-01T23:32:57.000Z
Many of the opioid settlement conversations are happening behind closed doors, buried in legal filings, or scattered across platforms owned by companies that profit from your attention and your data.
That changes today.
We're launching two new, free community tools built for advocates, run on non-Big Tech infrastructure, and designed from the ground up to respect your privacy.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
## ~~**The OPI Discussion Boards:**~~ [~~discuss.opioidpolicy.org~~](https://discuss.opioidpolicy.org)
~~We created a place to talk about what's happening with opioid settlement money and other opioid policy issues. Every state and topic has its own space, or you can create your own! You don't need a law degree or a policy background to participate.~~
~~This isn't Facebook. There's no algorithm deciding what you see. No ads. No data harvesting. No corporate owner who can shut down the conversation. It's a forum, one of the oldest ways the internet has empowered communities to share what they know, ask questions, and hold power accountable together. We support conversations in English and Spanish!~~
### [~~Sign up to be a moderator~~](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/t/g1dbRnCz9Yus) ~~or just~~ [~~join the discussion~~](https://discuss.opioidpolicy.org)~~!~~
**Forum CLOSED (9.1.26):** [news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-forum-closed/](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-forum-closed/)
## **The OPI Settlement Wiki:** [wiki.opioidpolicy.org](https://wiki.opioidpolicy.org)
A publicly readable, state-by-state reference for how opioid settlement funds are structured and spent across the country. Share how your state, tribe, local government, or US territory is planning, spending, evaluating, overseeing, and enforcing opioid settlement money.
We built the wiki because this information shouldn't require a FOIA request or a JD to understand. Settlement agreements are dense by design with layers of legalese that make it harder for ordinary people to know what is going on. The wiki translates that complexity into plain language. All in one place and all owned by the community.
The wiki is open to community editing. If you want to contribute, create an account and start writing. The people closest to the problem are the ones who should be documenting it. Available in English and Spanish!
### [Sign up to be a moderator](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/t/g1dbRnCz9Yus) or [visit the wiki to learn more](https://wiki.opioidpolicy.org)!
###
## **Why we built this outside Big Tech**
Every piece of OPI's infrastructure runs on privacy-respecting, independent systems. No Google. No Meta. No Microsoft. No tracking pixels. No third-party analytics watching what you read or who you talk to.
This matters more than it used to. In a political environment where surveillance is expanding and digital rights are eroding, the platforms we build and use are important decisions.
We chose to develop tools that serve and uplift you. Like all of our resources, these tools are free for you. ***They aren't free for us***, but it's essential to work in a principled, thoughtful way when it comes to technology. That does come with a cost, but consider this another service we offer the community. And if you dig it, we accept contributions to keep OPI cookin.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
Your forum account is managed through our authentication system, and it is not linked to Google, not tied to a social media profile, and not feeding your information into an ad network. When you sign up, you're joining our community, not becoming a product.
You might be wondering if an internet-based discussion board can ever truly be private? The answer is... not really. Hacks happen even to billion-dollar message boards like Reddit. So we turned off direct messages that give the illusion of privacy. For public comments and posts, we encourage you to act like what you're posting might at some point be tied to your name. That's good practice anyhow, and we think it will lead to a kinder, more thoughtful space. That said, you can use a sorta anonymous username, but just know that at some point someone might connect the dots when you're running for president or something.
## **Plain language is a political act**
One more thing. We write in plain language, especially on the wiki, because gatekeeping with legalese and complicated writing is a tool of control. When policy documents are written so that only lawyers and lobbyists can understand them, that's not an accident. It keeps regular people out of conversations about their communities.
OPI's wiki, forum, and all of our published work reject that model. Accessible writing at a 5th grade level isn't about dumbing things down. It's about opening the door.
# **Get involved**
### ~~Join the conversation at~~ [~~discuss.opioidpolicy.org~~](https://discuss.opioidpolicy.org)
~~Create an account, introduce yourself, and start connecting with advocates across the country or in your state.~~
**Forum CLOSED (9.1.26):** [news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-forum-closed/](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-forum-closed/)
### Browse the wiki at [wiki.opioidpolicy.org](https://wiki.opioidpolicy.org)
Find your state and see how settlement funds are being managed. Does something need to be updated? Sign up and suggest an edit. It's *your* resource.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### TruNarc: To Narc or Not to Narc? 🐀
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/trunarc/
Last updated: 2026-04-02T14:39:36.000Z
Look, y’all...you’ll have to forgive our frustration, but the ‘fentanyl frenzy’ that gripped law enforcement and media since 2021 is *still* shaping terrible policy (looking at you, ‘fentanyl as a WMD’ boosters) and leaving our communities worse off.
**Touching fentanyl alone will not lead to an overdose.** This is a myth that has been widely debunked. Yet, if you’ve spent any time on local law enforcement social media, news reports, or opioid settlement spending documents, you’ve probably seen the warnings: “Fentanyl can absorb through your skin.”
“We need \[**STUFF**\] to protect law enforcement from deadly exposure to fentanyl.”
Social media posts and news reporting on this 2021 “event” in San Diego have almost **19 million views**. And there are so many more stories just like this. The message is clear: fentanyl is so dangerous that just being near it could kill you. And when fear enters the room, profiteers selling a “solution” follow. Cue up billions in opioid settlement money, and we have a recipe for a WFAM bonanza.
#### Quick WFAM Project Updates (04.02.2026)
- Our [database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability) is at ****649 WFAM examples**
- - 📈 ****+39 WFAM** examples since last post
- Current ****WFAM Total: \~$39.2 mil**
- - 📈 ****+$3.5mil** since last post
[☕ Buy Tony a Coffee](https://ko-fi.com/tonypeterson)
## TruNarc: To Narc or Not to Narc? 🐀
Today, we're calling out spending opioid settlement money on handheld drug detectors for law enforcement:
#### TruNarc (Handheld Drug Detectors) (+$5,037,102)
- - - ****Vendors**: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Anton Paar, Metrohm, Autoclear, 908 Devices, Detectachem
- ****Where**: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Wyoming
- ****Initial Spending**: Device + training
- ****Long-term Costs**: Maintenance, replacement, additional equipment
- ****Unallowable spending in**: California, Indiana, South Carolina, & Virginia
- ****AKA**: Ramen spectrometer, handheld ramen spectrometer, handheld spectrometer, handheld narcotics analyzer, pocket-size ramen, trace detectors, etc
## Background
Let’s start with: *what is a handheld drug detector device?*
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Investigative Post (26 Mar 2026)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/investigative-post-26-mar-2026/
Last updated: 2026-04-01T21:33:24.000Z
# [Opioid settlement money unspent, misused](https://investigativepost.org/2026/03/26/opioid-settlement-money-unspent-misused/)
Thrilled to see superstar research assistant Tony Peterson getting a quote in this important piece about more mispending of opioid settlement money in Western New York.
> “I can say with confidence that this is a kind of vibes-based spending. It feels good to use this money for our emergency services,” Peterson told Investigative Post. But that’s not what it’s meant for, she said. “This \[money\] is to address the hurt that our communities have experienced in connection to the opioid epidemic.”
Tony has been leading our work about how AEDs are WFAM. Check out the policy brief she has led on this topic:
[AED Policy Brief1-page resource for opioid settlement decision-makersOpioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/aed-1p/)
[In Erie County, local officials fail to spend opioid settlement moneyFive major municipalities in Erie County have received money to address opioid addiction. They’ve spent less than half of the funds.Investigative PostAdam Smith-Perez](https://investigativepost.org/2026/03/26/opioid-settlement-money-unspent-misused/)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### Bridge Michigan (31 Mar 2026)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-31-mar-2026/
Last updated: 2026-04-01T21:21:36.000Z
# [Three years in, funds to fight opioids still unspent in some Michigan counties](https://bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/three-years-in-funds-to-fight-opioids-still-unspent-in-some-michigan-counties/)
There is often a question we're posed: Is opioid settlement spending going too slow, or is it going okay?
We know spending it “quickly” is relative and may seem contradictory to spending it well. It's not, but it is definitely difficult to spend it fast and well.
I think there are two things happening with “**slow**” spending:
1. It is taking three years because there's a deliberate process…*while that's a little too long for us*…at least there's a deliberate process happening. This is ok-ish.
2. It's been three years, and there hasn't been any deliberation or movement towards spending it because they have no idea what to do…that's a really big problem.
Slow doesn't always mean catastrophically bad. Some places spent it quickly and might as well have lit the cash on fire (check our [WFAM database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability)). So in some ways, I have hope that the slow money may still go towards things that work. Yes, there are thousands of preventable deaths that are the real cost for being slow. That is excruciatingly painful to write. But I do genuinely get that this all takes time because most people who have just been handed this cash don't know what to do *and* feel the responsibility of spending this money well.
One thing these “money is sitting there” stories sometimes miss is the lack of support for the counties in most places. It is worth keeping in mind that some places have had a task force and people working on the opioid syndemic for years. These are usually big cities or university towns that have the resources to put towards those sorts of efforts.
Other places just don't have that capacity.
It's part of the reason the opioid syndemic has been so bad in so many places. Most places didn't have the support to work on those issues when they popped up. Expecting those same places to be able to spend this money well *and* quickly remains a catastrophic decision at the start of this settlement process.
[Three years in, funds to fight opioids still unspent in some Michigan counties - Bridge MichiganFunds meant to save lives in Michigan’s drug war are still sitting in the bank accounts of some local governments.Bridge MichiganRon French](https://bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/three-years-in-funds-to-fight-opioids-still-unspent-in-some-michigan-counties/)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### 🚀New Research: Best Practices for Unallowable Opioid Settlement Spending Guidance
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/unallowable-opioid-settlement-spending-2026/
Last updated: 2026-04-07T17:03:25.000Z
# +$55 billion in opioid settlement funds is headed to communities across the United States…
and \~90% of the money is not covered by existing unallowable spending guidance...
_This post is for subscribers only._
### In Memoriam: Logan Hullinger
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/in-memoriam-logan-hullinger/
Last updated: 2026-03-31T12:32:07.000Z
Hi folks, some sad news to share. I'm cross-posting this from our Reporting on Addiction newsletter.
Logan Hullinger, a Baltimore-based independent journalist, passed away on March 6th, 2026\.
Logan was a dedicated, award-winning reporter, regularly delivering impactful and interesting stories through Mobtown Redux, his weekly newsletter. He was published/republished widely, including in the Baltimore Beat, Scalawag, and Filter.
Logan’s words, like those of so many great reporters, captured his perspective perfectly:
> Pushing for drug users' rights to autonomy and care can seem like an uphill battle, and it is. But we cannot resort to nihilism; we must keep fucking pushing.
Logan was also just a great dude. I had a lot of respect for Logan's work because he brought drug policy, data, and heart to every story. He pounded the pavement for stories, and he forced people to care about what was happening in Baltimore. It felt like a real gift to connect at the Reform Conference in Detroit and feel his fire in person. His perspective and drive towards justice will be deeply missed. I'm sharing this because we need more Logans right now, and I miss him.
[About Mobtown Redux, a Baltimore-based harm reduction newsletterMobtown Redux advocates for the rights of drug users through independent journalism on addiction, drug policy and the harm reduction movement in Baltimore. It was founded by Logan Hullinger in 2023\. The name is an ode to Baltimore’s nickname “Mobtown,” an unflattering moniker to some but a representation of theMobtown ReduxLogan Hullinger](https://mobtownredux.news/about/)
[In memory of Logan HullingerLogan Hullinger, founder of news blog Mobtown Redux and one of Baltimore Beat’s most dedicated contributors, passed away unexpectedly on March 6\. He would have turned 30 on March 10, 2026\. Logan was a thoughtful, passionate journalist whose compassion shone in all of his reporting. While he primarily reported on the harm reduction movement and \[…\]Baltimore BeatSanya Kamidi](https://baltimorebeat.com/in-memory-of-logan-hullinger/)
[Mobtown Redux: Remembering Logan Hullinger – ScalawagLogan’s work emphasized the need for decriminalization, pinpointed anti-Black racism at the heart of the War on Drugs, and interrogated policies sustaining the overdose crisis.ScalawagSherronda J. Brown, Da’Shaun Harrison](https://scalawagmagazine.org/2026/03/mobtown-redux-remembering-logan-hullinger/)
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### MiDUD (Part 3)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/midud-part-3/
Last updated: 2026-03-12T21:52:54.000Z
🤡
If you're new here, the short version: the State of Michigan built an addiction treatment locator, launched it despite knowing it was broken, and continues to actively promote a broken resource.
Will there be accountability? Will there be a functional way for people to find evidence-based addiction treatment in Michigan? Stay tuned to find out!
While there’s a bunch that has stood out from Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services's (MDHHS) response to our FOIA about MiSUD, the line referring to ***MiSUD as a minimum viable product (or MVP)*** tickled my techie brain. 🤓
In one sense, it is a throwaway comment that I probably shouldn’t be so obsessed with as to write 2000 words about…but I believe that this framing is part of an ongoing attempt to convey that MDHHS followed a *deliberate design process.* They were *thorough!* These are people with *technical expertise* and the *infrastructure* to get this done! They are connecting people with *addiction treatment!*
Well…as you know by now, that’s not true at all.
Let’s break down the MVP concept and explore why, even if MDHHS did an MVP approach (*they didn’t*), the MVP approach is not appropriate for public health infrastructure.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
## **A brief background on minimum viable products (MVP) in tech design**
### ***Planning***
MVPs are from the tech startup world. Startups often don't have a ton of resources (relatively) to build the thing they want to build. Therefore, before spending resources on developing a product, it is recommended to start with a landscape analysis. That way you can evaluate what is out there, what is missing, and how you can improve upon it with your approach. This is called *planning*.
A lack of basic planning is the first massive crack in MDHHS’s “*MiSUD is an MVP*” framing.
_This post is for subscribers only._
### MiDUD (Part 2)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/midud-part-2/
Last updated: 2026-02-25T22:14:57.000Z
Yesterday, February 24th, 2026, we hosted a presentation to the House Oversight Subcommittee on Public Health and Food Security Committee about the [MiSUD Addiction Treatment Locator](https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/find-help/misud-locator). I hesitate linking to it because it's a trash website, but here it is:
At this oversight committee meeting yesterday, I testified alongside [Colleen Lane, ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-lane-md-aahiv)MD, and [Ashley Shukait, MPH](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-shukait-). Their clinical and frontline expertise grounded everything we presented about the Mi SUD Addiction Treatment Locator in the lived reality of people seeking and providing addiction care in Michigan.
🎯
***Remember** *: This addiction treatment locator website was launched during an addiction crisis.*
**People are trying to find life-saving services.*
***If you announce a way for people to find life saving services, people are going to use it... so it better work.**
If you're new here, the short version: the State of Michigan built an addiction treatment locator, launched it despite knowing it was broken, and continues to actively promote it. All of that is probably bad enough…but we haven't reached the full depths of this incompetent response to a crisis. In the hearing, we also disclosed a substantial privacy issue that makes this whole debacle a true clusterfuck.
Will there be accountability? Will there be a functional way for people to find evidence-based addiction treatment in Michigan? Stay tuned to find out!
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Opioid Settlement FIT Test
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-fit-test/
Last updated: 2026-01-30T00:16:39.000Z
[☕ Buy Tony a Coffee](https://ko-fi.com/tonypeterson)
## Background
FIT stands for **F**unction**, I**mpact**, and T**rackability. It is a core element in our [OPI Opioid Settlement Policy Briefs](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/policy-brief-template/) and complements our [Opioid Settlement Quick Rules](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-quick-rules/).
[Opioid Settlement Quick RulesProcess, process, processOpioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-quick-rules/)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
At its core, the **FIT Test** is a simple way to remind decision-makers to ***pause*** and ***check*** the fundamentals before making money moves. It's designed to support high-pressure, value-based decisions. We want to ensure settlement dollars stop this crisis and build healthier, more resilient communities.
As always, we’re open to [feedback](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/contact-form)!
## Sign up for Opioid Policy Institute
We're addressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction.
Subscribe
Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
# Opioid Settlement FIT Test
## ✅ **FUNCTIONAL**
*Functional* opioid settlement spending addresses the causes of opioid-related deaths and disease.
**To evaluate function**, examine whether the proposal solves a well-defined problem and accounts for real-world factors that influence both the problem and potential solutions.
### ❓ Decision-makers should ask
*Will this spending reduce opioid-related deaths or disease? Where is the evidence?*
### 💡 Decision-makers should understand
The opioid crisis is constantly evolving. Some problems from 2001 (or 1970) are different from the problems today. Others remain the same. Functional spending is not fighting yesterday's problem. Functional spending uses today’s solutions for today’s problems.
0:00
/0:58
1×
## ✅ **IMPACTFUL**
*Impactful* opioid settlement spending prioritizes people directly affected by the opioid crisis.
**To evaluate impact**, examine whether data or documented experience shows that the proposal reduces opioid-related death and disease among the most at-risk people. The people directly affected by the crisis (those with lived and living experience) can best speak to how impactful a spending decision will be.
### ❓ **Decision-makers should ask**
*Who benefits? How do we know this spending reaches the people most impacted by the opioid crisis? How does the impact align with the costs?*
🧠
NB: **Impactful* does not mean **expensive*.
### 💡 Decision-makers should understand
Opioid settlement money is available to decision-makers because of the severe impact of opioids in our community. Prioritize the needs of people most affected by the crisis.
0:00
/0:54
1×
## ✅ **TRACKABLE**
*Trackable* opioid settlement spending must be transparent and measurable.
**To evaluate trackability**, examine whether the decision-making process was meaningfully open to community input and whether the community can determine if the proposal achieved its goals.
### ❓ Decision-makers should ask
*What metrics will show the spending is successful? Who tracks this? How are results reported to the community?*
### 💡 Decision-makers should understand
Your community was negatively impacted by the opioid crisis. They deserve to know how the pain that resulted in the opioid settlement money is used to prevent further harm to their communities and help support healing.
0:00
/0:47
1×
## Why You Should Use the **FIT Test**
Spending opioid settlement money is difficult. There are competing interests, heightened emotions, and urgent needs. The **FIT Test** cuts to the core of spending considerations by surfacing **Function**, **Impact**, and **Trackability** before money is committed. It gives everyone a shared framework for discussing complex spending decisions and focuses the conversation on what's likely to work and how we'll know if it did.
## One Last Thought
Opioid settlement dollars are a rare opportunity for our communities to stop this crisis and improve health and well-being. The **FIT Test** helps ensure that opportunity isn’t wasted.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
**Have you seen waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanaged spending in your community?*
**Report it to our database!*
[Flag WFAM 🚨 ](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability)
## Related Writing
[Opioid Settlement Quick RulesProcess, process, processOpioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-quick-rules/)
[New WFAM ResourcesPolicy Brief v1.0 + Town Hall (we turned it up to 11🤘)Opioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/policy-brief-template/)
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### 2026 Opioid Settlement Roadmap
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-quick-rules-2/
Last updated: 2026-01-15T18:30:05.000Z
A path forward to better opioid settlement spending
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Opioid Settlement Quick Rules
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-quick-rules/
Last updated: 2026-01-14T14:52:41.000Z
Process, process, process
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Using Opioid Settlement Funds to Broaden & Strengthen Harm Reduction
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/harm-reduction-osf-eo-2025/
Last updated: 2025-12-19T17:25:47.000Z
---
The opioid settlement dollars offer a +$55 billion opportunity to enhance our response to the ongoing opioid overdose crisis. But as decision-makers work to allocate these funds toward evidence-based, opioid-related solutions across prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, the federal government entered the chat to openly attack harm reduction.
This isn't just more misguided policy. It's a coordinated attack on people who use drugs and the strategies that save their lives, all while the opioid crisis continues killing tens of thousands of people every year. Because of how harm reduction works, it has always been an easy target for these attacks. But we must look through the bluster and take full advantage of the opportunity presented by opioid settlement funds to invest in evidence-based harm reduction practices.
## So what exactly is *harm reduction*?
At its core, harm reduction is about **practical, compassionate solutions** to reduce the harms associated with everyday life. This could look like seat belts for driving, sunscreen for sun exposure, or, in the context of substance use, something like drinking water between alcoholic beverages. These harm reduction strategies are grounded in [principles](https://harmreduction.org/about-us/principles-of-harm-reduction/) like bodily autonomy and human dignity.
When applied to substances, harm reduction strategies acknowledge that *people use substances*…because people *do* use substances…therefore, we must create safer and healthier communities for people who use substances. For the opioid crisis, harm reduction includes evidence-based tools like drug checking, syringe services, wound care kits, and low-cost/low-dose naloxone (the opioid overdose-reversal medication that has already saved countless lives).
Harm reduction solutions are common-sense and mutual aid-grounded approaches that meet the needs of the community. Yet despite their effectiveness, these solutions often operate outside traditional health systems.They are also frequently sidelined by legal barriers that ignore their life-saving potential. And then there's the funding issue…
_This post is for subscribers only._
### New WFAM Resources
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/policy-brief-template/
Last updated: 2025-12-16T21:31:29.000Z
## **A New WFAM Resource**
Introducing the **Opioid Policy Institute's Opioid Settlement Good/WFAM Spending Policy Brief(s)**…*snappy name, eh?*
_This post is for subscribers only._
### AED Policy Brief
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/aed-1p/
Last updated: 2025-12-17T03:26:37.000Z
1-page resource for opioid settlement decision-makers
_This post is for subscribers only._
### SpotlightPA (10 Dec 2025)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/spotlightpa-10-dec-2025/
Last updated: 2025-12-15T01:46:21.000Z
# [Opioid settlement spending faces growing scrutiny as Pennsylvania awaits millions more](https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/12/opioid-settlement-spending-pennsylvania-counties-2025-health/)
> The Opioid Policy Institute [in July](https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/opioid-settlements-crowdsourced-database-monitor-spending-state-attorneys-general-oversight/) launched what it calls the [“the most comprehensive database of problematic opioid settlement spending.](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability)[”](https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/opioid-settlements-crowdsourced-database-monitor-spending-state-attorneys-general-oversight/) The website includes a form that allows people to submit items for consideration that they consider waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement of the funds. The website highlights what the organization considers inappropriate spending on speaker fees, [drug disposal pouches](https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/opioid-settlement-money-corporations-cash-cow/), [body scanners for jails](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/10/20/1206326239/law-enforcement-eyes-opioid-settlement-cash-for-squad-cars-and-body-scanners), and other items. [The database](https://airtable.com/appGmIZoQGM2l9yNk/shrLdbxHHYS5NKpHh/tblp8y09xmV6PAJVG?viewControls=on) includes dozens of examples from Pennsylvania, many of which cite Spotlight PA as a source.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### WFAM Year in Review: Looking Back, Moving Forward (2025)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wfam-eoy-2025/
Last updated: 2026-02-17T22:24:32.000Z
To wrap up the year, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the opioid settlement WFAM work we have accomplished together, thank you for your support, and tease a bit of what is to come. 😬 It's a bit longer than our usual WFAM newsletters but we'll touch on each of the 6 topics we hit on and provide some important updates, including 2024 data from Aneri Pattani's excellent [database of publicly available opioid settlement spending.](https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/opioid-settlements-addiction-sock-hops-concerts-mma-local-spending/)
## Topline
**$35.7 million** in opioid settlement funds have been misspent on items that do *nothing* to address the overdose crisis. That's a big number and it's just scratching the surface.
This money was diverted from life-saving harm reduction, treatment, and recovery solutions. And as frustrating and devastating as this is, it’s also an opportunity: every dollar exposed is a chance to redirect future spending toward what *actually* works and hold decision makers accountable.
We’re calling out the opioid setttlement WFAM because no one else was. While others handed out awards for basic compliance, our community tracked the drones, the AEDs, and the surveillance tech.
Our work is opinionated, grounded in ethics and evidence, and unapologetic. Sometimes it's a little goofy as we point out how absurd *and* harmful this spending is. However, we take out roles very seriously. As always, if we’ve missed something or gotten it wrong, tell us. But we won’t stay quiet while commercial interests rampage these funds and decision makers light it on fire. To that end, we have been working on other ways to present this material so that we can have an impact with diffrent audiences. The newsletter was always just the start. Thank you for joining along for the ride.
🤘
The emails we received throughout the year were encouraging, thoughtful, and incredibly helpful, and we are always glad when people reach out!
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
## Background
We have come a long way since the first newsletter on Sept 10th calling out opioid settlement spending on Dogs, Drones & Donuts🍩. When we started we had just reached ***200 WFAM example*s *(now 610 examples)*** and around **20 million dollars (now $35.7mil)** in misspending. And while this isn't comprehensive (yet!), they give a pretty good picture of what is going on and areas to resist.
Let's look back at the six WFAM topics we covered this year.
#### Quick WFAM Project Updates
- Our [database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability) is at ****610** ****WFAM examples**
- - 📈 ****+203 WFAM** examples since last post
- Current ****WFAM Total: \~$35.7mil**
- - 📈 ****+$6.4mil** since last post
_This post is for subscribers only._
### The Current [Lafayette, Louisiana] (4 Dec 2025)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/the-current-lafayette-louisiana-4-dec-2025/
Last updated: 2025-12-15T02:01:45.000Z
# [‘Blood money’: Five years in, it’s unclear how Louisiana’s $100M in opioid funds are spent](https://thecurrentla.com/2025/blood-money-five-years-in-its-unclear-how-louisianas-100m-in-opioid-funds-are-spent/)
## Republished:
[Louisiana Illuminator](https://lailluminator.com/2025/12/07/louisiana-opioid/)
[Verite News (New Orleans, LA)](https://veritenews.org/2025/12/05/blood-money-five-years-in-its-unclear-how-louisianas-100m-in-opioid-funds-are-spent/)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### The Investigative Post (3 Dec 2025)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/the-investigative-post-3-dec-2025/
Last updated: 2025-12-15T01:50:46.000Z
# [Opioid epidemic funds lack oversight, transparency](https://www.investigativepost.org/2025/12/03/opioid-epidemic-spending-lack-oversight-transparency/)
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[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### MiDUD (Part 1)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/midud-part-1/
Last updated: 2025-11-24T18:05:48.000Z
## ***Let's get to it:***
Every year, millions of Americans seek help stopping or cutting back on drug and alcohol use.
What's the first place most people turn?
Dr. Google!
But this yields a predictable fire hose of information (and ads, *sigh*). While it *looks* useful, under the surface this list of addiction “treatment” website has a rotten core: **scams, body brokers, privacy risks, outdated info, broken links,** on and on. Finding accurate, up-to-date addiction treatment options has been a longstanding, daunting process that holds back our response. It does not have to be this way.
## **FindTreatment.gov: Cutting Through the Chaos of Finding Addiction Treatment Online**
To help address *some* of these issues with searching for addiction treatment online, the US federal government launched [FindTreatment.gov](https://findtreatment.gov) in ***2019***. This website leverages the federal government's vast knowledge about addiction treatment by providing a centralized resource for people seeking care.
It has gotten better since launch by adding information to help people understand what constitutes quality addiction treatment, how to pay for it, and an enhanced search tool. This enhanced search includes criteria like the facility smoking policy or whether they treat pregnant and parenting folks. Little details that make a big difference when deciding where to go for treatment.
This one-stop-shop approach taken by the federal government makes sense for patients and public health. Now there is one link to share and promote. One website to focus our attention on improving. And while FindTreatment.gov was a step forward from the hellscape that was Googling this topic before, it has not been perfect. It has faced [criticism for incomplete data, lack of real-time updates, insufficient user testing, and privacy issues](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/khn-11-may-2022/). 🤓 Still, for the last few years it was the first link on Google search when people used addiction related keywords. *(Side note: Recently, this changed to 9-8-8, even though that doesn’t have the same resources for people seeking care…but that’s for a future newsletter…)*
Despite the existence of [FindTreatment.gov](http://findtreatment.gov), local treatment locators have popped up in the meantime. This isn't a *completely* bad idea. Local efforts that have proper resources and expertise might better capture real time availability and supplement missing info from FindTreatment.gov that is helpful when navigating addiction treatment.
However, despite their critical role, these non-federal treatment locator websites often end up with the same (*or more!*) problems as the federal resource, leaving vulnerable people still navigating a maze of broken links, outdated information, and poor design.
That brings us to ***Michigan!***
They post a monthly promotional for MiSUD treatment locator on their socials.
## MiSUD Locator
With much fanfare and press, the [MiSUD locator](https://www.michigan.gov/opioids/find-help/misud-locator) was launched in [November 2024](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2024/11/20/sud-map) (‼️) by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to help people find treatment and recovery providers in Michigan (the MI in MiSUD).
*Cool!*
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Don’terra!💊🚽
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/donterra/
Last updated: 2025-12-05T03:26:38.000Z
We know that there is something reassuring about a product that promises to “neutralize” a problem, especially one as overwhelming as the opioid overdose crisis.
Seal it!
Shake it!
Throw it away!
**Another opioid overdose prevented!** 🦸
And while the companies that sell these “solutions” make it *seem* like if you buy their product, we will have the opioid overdose epidemic in the bag… I’m here to tell you, that’s *rubbish*.
Products like ***Deterra*** drug disposal pouches are selling a vision that their product can keep medications out of the “wrong” hands. And while safe storage and disposal of opioids is important, there’s are some big issues with spending opioid settlement money in this way...so, let’s unpack why drug disposal pouches are showing up on our WFAM list.
#### Quick WFAM Project Updates (11.19.25)
- Our [database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability) is at ****407** ****WFAM examples**
- - 📈 ****+33 WFAM** examples since last post
- Current ****WFAM Total: \~$29.3mil**
- - 📈 ****+$2.1mil** since last post
## Don’terra 💊🚽
Today, we're calling out spending opioid settlement money on drug disposal/deactivation pouches:
#### ****Drug Disposal Pouches** ~~(+~~ ~~****$3,912,120**~~ ~~)~~
2025 EOY UPDATE: **+$4,861,125**
- - ****Vendors:** Verde Environmental Technologies (Deterra), DisposeRx
- ****Where:** California, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin
- ****Initial Spending:** Pouch, distribution (mailing, events, etc.)
- ****Long-term Costs:** Replacement pouches (single-use product)
## Background
Let’s start with: *what is a drug disposal pouch?*
_This post is for subscribers only._
### IllinoisTimes (13 Nov 2025)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/illinoistimes-13-nov-2025/
Last updated: 2025-12-15T02:10:53.000Z
# [Taking action to address overdoses](https://www.illinoistimes.com/news/taking-action-to-address-overdoses/)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Veterans Day
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/veterans-day/
Last updated: 2025-11-11T15:44:43.000Z
This Veterans Day, OPI honors the courage, service, and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. We also recognize that for too many, some of the hardest battles begin after the uniform comes off.
As you may know, Veterans are disproportionately affected by chronic pain, trauma, addiction, and are significantly overrepresented among Americans experiencing homelessness. These challenges are not a reflection of character; they are a reflection of unmet needs and systems that too often fall short.
At OPI, we stand with the veteran community by advocating for solutions that work: expanding access to evidence-based treatment, harm reduction, housing support, and recovery services. And we demand accountability from the systems meant to serve those who served us. So-called solutions like **involuntary treatment** or **“clearing homeless encampments”** aren’t just ineffective, they actively attack veterans and deepen the crises they face. **We reject these false fixes.** Instead, we work must work to build systems of care that meet people *where they are* with dignity.
Today, we honor veterans with more than gratitude. We honor them with action and a commitment to their health and happiness.
Thank you for your service.
### This is a Dizzy-aster!🥽
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/goggles/
Last updated: 2025-12-05T16:07:00.000Z
#### Quick WFAM Project Updates (11.6.25)
- Our [database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability) is at ****374** ****WFAM examples**
- - 📈 ****+16 WFAM** examples since last post
- Current ****WFAM Total: \~$27.2mil**
- - 📈 ****+$0.4mil** since last post
## A Dizzy-aster🥽
Today, we're calling out spending opioid settlement money on drug and alcohol impairment simulation goggles *(a big thank you to Tricia Christensen for reporting some of these examples!)*:
#### Drug and Alcohol Impairment Simulation Goggles ~~(+$67k)~~
2025 EOY UPDATE: **+$121,713**
- - ****Vendors:** Lifeloc, innocorp
- ****Where:** Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia
- ****Initial Spending:** Device
- ****Long-term Costs:** Training-the-Trainer, Sustaining Program, Replacements, Add-ons
## Background
_This post is for subscribers only._
### ⚡Shock Value⚡
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/aeds/
Last updated: 2025-12-05T03:29:30.000Z
It’s fall, y’all! 🍂
Tony here!
I think there’s something else you should know about me before we dive into a new opioid settlement waste of the week: I've had the privilege of working as a volunteer firefighter in my hometown of Union, West Virginia, and I’ve worked as an active-duty Soldier for the last four years as a Medical Service Corps Officer.
***Pictured is Tony during her years as a volunteer firefighter with the Union Volunteer Fire Department in Union. West Virginia from 2015-2017 (you can tell by the Instagram filters!)**
With these experiences, I’ve had many opportunities to work with devices like automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to help people experiencing cardiac arrest. I truly appreciate the life-saving potential of medical devices like AEDs. *Our communities need these devices.*
However, AEDs have nothing to do with the opioid overdoses and nothing to do with opioid settlement money…so why am I talking to you about AEDs in a newsletter about opioid settlement money!?
Well...because communities are using opioid settlement money to purchase AEDs..and that’s a shocking way to use this money.⚡
#### Quick WFAM Project Updates (10.23.25)
- Our [database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability) is at ****358** ****WFAM examples**
- - 📈 ****+5 WFAM** examples since last post
- Current ****WFAM Total: \~$26.8mil**
- - 📈 ****+$1.4mil** since last post
## ⚡Shock Value⚡(...AEDs)
Today, we're calling out spending opioid settlement money on automated external defibrillators (AEDs):
#### ****Automated external defibrillators** ~~(+$2.2~~ ~~****million**~~ ~~)~~
2025 EOY UPDATE: **+$2,510,919**
- - ****Vendors:** Stryker, Zoll
- ****Where:** Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Virginia, and Louisiana
- ****Initial Spending:** Device
- ****Long-term Costs:** Maintenance, replacements, training, potential subscription/on-going fees for pads and other device expendables
#### ****Other Considerations**
- - ****As always, the purchasing process may have issues:** **Was there an open bidding process for these devices? How was the specific model evaluated for the stated purpose?* **What contact was there between the company and the government?* These questions could generate other concerns and are worth investigating.
- ****The decision-making process might have issues:** **Was the public notified about this purchase? Who was consulted before the purchase? Who approved the purchase?*
- ****The stated outcomes might have issues:** **What are the metrics that provided to decision makers to evaluate whether this spending is a “success?” Is there data or research showing that AEDs reduce overdose deaths? If not, why would opioid settlement money go towards AEDs?*
- ****The implementation might have issues:** **How are the AEDs going to be distributed? Will they prioritize marginalized communities?*
- ****The legacy of these decisions might have a long tail:** **How were ongoing costs factored into the decision-making process?*
## Background
### *What is an automated external defibrillator?*
_This post is for subscribers only._
### findbupe.org Updates (Fall '25)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/findbupe-updates-fall-25/
Last updated: 2025-10-13T14:42:04.000Z
## Here’s what’s new in v2.0:
### 🌎 **More Languages = More Access**
Language shouldn’t be a gatekeeper to survival. Our new update smashed that barrier by adding ***19 languages***. Now, more people can access this platform, no matter how they speak.
#### *How you can help*
1. [If there are problems with translations, you can help improve them by updating the translation files on GitHub.](https://github.com/opioid-policy/bupe-locator-opi/tree/main/public/translations)
1. Just compare any language file with the **EN** version. We spot checked the translations, but are sure there are some wonky spots...
2. If you're not sure what that GitHub files mean but still want to help, **reply to this email!**
2. If you don’t see a language that would help your community, let us know and we’ll work to add it!
We'll keep improving on this feature to make sure it meets everyone's needs.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### **💉 Long-Acting Injectable Bupe Formulation Added**
We’ve added long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAIB) to the formulation options. I was under the impression that most of LAIB shots were happening at clinics, not pharmacies. And while that is true today…we can change that! Some pharmacies can administer LAIBs like other shots (think vaccines, contraception, etc.). There's important work being done to get pharmacies on-board with LAIBs. To future-proof the platform and signal the importance of pharmacies filling + administering LAIB, we added it to the reporting forms and finding bupe pathways. ***Thank you for the feedback!***
### **🎨 Responsive Collaborator Logos**
We have our first collaboration: Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center ([WOORC](https://woorc.pharmacy.wisc.edu/)) at the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy! The WOORC provided data from their pharmacy students and are promoting this tool in their community. We added some languages for them. If you use a Wisconsin ZIP code, you'll see their logo to recognize their significant contribution to our growing platform. Thank you WOORC and Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar for the connection!
#### *How you can help*
**We need data!** While this is a crowdsource tool and *anyone* *can* *enter* *data*, we want to shift the burden off individuals reporting data and tap into larger datasets, especially to get started. If you have data or want to help collect it, **reply to this email!**
## Check it out at [findbupe.org](https://findbupe.org)
[Find Bupe](https://findbupe.org)
### Other Smaller Updates:
🤷 **Explainer**
To help people understand the tool, we created a [page that walks you through how it works](https://www.findbupe.org/demo).
### **📜 Pagination for Long Lists**
Easily navigate through long lists of pharmacies! This is part of future-proofing the platform, and will be very important as we add more data. Print view already capped things to avoid massive print jobs, but this should make the live website more user-friendly, especially on mobile.
### **🔒 Privacy-Preserving Analytics**
We’ve implemented analytics that respect user privacy. Our goal is to understand how the platform is used without linking to an individual's use of the platform (thereby maintaining privacy). When certain buttons are selected (e.g., find bupe, report pharmacy), that click is recorded in our Airtable database. At the end of each month, the aggregate data will be added to the [dashboard](https://www.findbupe.org/dashboard). This can help us prioritize where to grow and help us measure impact. Previously, we only had insight into half the website (reports filed) now we know, in aggregate, when someone clicks “Find Bupe”! We created a bespoke option to avoid using third-party tools that violate the privacy of people visiting websites.
## What We Learned:
### **🐛 Bugs Created (Then Squashed!)**
It's essential that we're transparent about improvements *and* issues. Like I mentioned in the intro, we had some time that the *reporting pharmacies* part of the website was broken this month. That's not great.
We are designing this to fill an important gap and serve as critical infrastructure until pharmacies routinely stock bupe (that might be awhile...) We recognize that there's a big responsibility that comes with building a platform like this. While not many people are using the website right now since it just launched, we don't want downtime as we roll it out more widely. If you experienced this issue, massive apologies.
***So what happened?!*** Basically, we did two edits at once and didn't catch that one of them caused the form to break. I thought the changes would be quick and easy but…
- …when we added the new LAIB formulations to the backend Airtable database, it broke the “Report Pharmacies” form on the website.
- Basically, we added LAIB to the Airtable database first to facilitate testing local code changes related to the translation functionality. This way, we could make sure the translations were working before pushing that code to the live website.
- BUT, that meant the live website “Report Pharmacies” form options that send responses to the Airtable database was out of sync with the Airtable database form options.
- Said differently, the live website “Report Pharmacies” form did not have LAIB options, but the backend Airtable database did. Having options out of sync between the two creates errors and blocked pharmacy reporting.
- NB, We hardcoded the form instead of using a form tool like Fillout.com, Qualtrics, or Airtable forms because coding it provides more flexibility, aligns with our privacy principles, and helps keep down costs. If we used those tools, this wouldn't have happened because the front and backend are automatically synced because they are the same software. Tradeoffs!
- As a security measure, the Airtable database only accepts **exact** matches for form submissions from the live website form. This makes sense from a data integrity standpoint and to prevent shenanigans, but turns out this is a little fragile with edits. When there was discordance (live database had LAIB, live code did not, local code did) it wouldn't allow for submissions.
- and...I didn't realize that it broke the “Report Pharmacies” form because it was working locally! The local code had the correct website form. But I didn't push it to be live because...
- ...at the same time, I was working on the translations (bad idea to do it at the same time!)
- The translation tool was challenging to implement. Essentially, I created a tool that extracts and translates all the text tagged for translation. To make this work, I first had to manually tag all the text for translation after failing multiple times to get the tool to automatically find text for translation. That took awhile to set up, but is future-proof and aligned with privacy goals.
- Next, we have to translate all the text in a private and secure way. I took Latin through HS and college, so I know nothing. I set up a local LLM to handle this. That was working fine-*ish* for most of the text, but some parts were stinkers because of the HTML formatting (bold, italics, etc) and LLM limitations. Some languages just flat out didn't work across models, and some models provided “reasoning” instead of the translation. To get around this, I supplemented the LLMs with offline Google Translate APIs (this is not part of the live website, so Google does not get user data!)
- But the biggest pain was the form responses! You might already see why because of my other issue with form responses needing to be an exact match..the initial approach to translation was sending the translated form responses! That doesn't work. So I came up with a workaround that allows the forms to be translated and sync correctly with the backend Airtable database.
- Whew.
In the future, I don't anticipate functionality breaking changes like this. It is now easy-*ish* to add new languages and partner logos. I also learned about that database + codebase quirk. But with technology, there are always other ways we might experience growing pains. Thank you for growing with us and following along.
---
**Your feedback drives our work.** If you’ve used the tool, let us know what’s working and what’s not. **Reply to this email to share your thoughts!**
*P.S. Know someone who could benefit from this tool? *Share this newsletter or send them to** [***findbupe.org***](https://findbupe.org) ***today!***
---
## Check it out at [findbupe.org](https://findbupe.org)
[Find Bupe](https://findbupe.org)
## Watch Our Demo
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
---
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### IllinoisTimes (9 Oct 2025)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/illinoistimes-9-oct-2025/
Last updated: 2025-12-15T02:08:48.000Z
# [Sangamon County Board settles opioid lawsuit](https://www.illinoistimes.com/news/sangamon-county-board-settles-opioid-lawsuit/)
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[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Cell-NO! 📵
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/cell-no/
Last updated: 2025-12-05T03:31:08.000Z
#### Quick WFAM Project Updates (10.8.25)
- Our [database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability) is at ****353** ****WFAM examples**
- - 📈 ****+96 WFAM** examples since last post
- Current ****WFAM Total: \~$25.4mil**
- - 📈 ****+$2mil** since last post
## Cell-NO (or cell phone extraction tools)
Today, we're calling out spending opioid settlement money on Cellebrite and other mobile device forensic extraction tools (MDFTs):
#### ****Mobile device forensic extraction tools** ~~(+$389k)~~
2025 EOY UPDATE: **+$426,609**
- - ****Vendors:** Cellebrite****,** GrayShift, Magnet Forensics, and Nighthawk
- ****Where:** West Virginia, New York, Minnesota, Connecticut, Colorado\*
- ****Initial Spending:** Device + subscription, training
- ****Long-term Costs:** Maintenance, replacements, training, upgrades, subscription fees
- ****Considerations:**
- - ****As always, the purchasing process may have issues:** **Was there an open bidding process for these devices? How was the specific model evaluated for the stated purpose?* **What contact was there between the company and the government?* These questions could generate other concerns and are worth investigating.
- ****The decision-making process might have issues:** **Was the public notified about this purchase? Who was consulted before the purchase? Who approved the purchase?*
- ****The stated outcomes might have issues:** **What are the metrics that law enforcement provided to decision makers to evaluate whether this spending is a “success?” Is there data or research showing that MDFTs reduce overdose deaths or improve access to treatment? If not, why would opioid settlement money go towards MDFTs?*
- ****The implementation might have issues:** **How are the MDFTs going to be used? Will they respect privacy and civil liberties, or disproportionately target marginalized communities? What safeguards are in place?*
- ****The legacy of these decisions might have a long tail:** **How were ongoing costs, including litigation risks, factored into the decision-making process?*
****Good Spending Alternatives:**
- - ****Integrated care:** Support programs that combine addiction treatment with primary care, mental health, and pain management, particularly in rural regions where behavioral health specialists are scarce. [Integrated care models have been shown to improve treatment retention and reduce overdose deaths](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32022884/). Funds can be used to start new clinics, expand existing clinics, and deploy mobile units that provide harm reduction and treatment services to underserved populations.
- ****Housing:** Invest in recovery housing and supportive housing for people leaving treatment or incarceration. Stable, supportive housing for [people with substance use disorders decreases emergency department visits and recidivism](https://ascpjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13722-021-00237-7#citeas)****,** and the [National Academies identifies housing as a critical factor for sustained recovery.](https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/25310/chapter/1) Recovery housing must allow for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
From our standpoint, no surveillance tool like MDFTs can address a community's need for addiction prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports. Therefore, anytime we see spending like this, it's going to end up on our database as ****WASTE**.
## Background
### *What is a mobile device forensic extraction tool?*
_This post is for subscribers only._
### The Washington Post (4 Oct 2025)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/the-washington-post-4-oct-2025/
Last updated: 2025-10-07T14:35:29.000Z
# [Her son died of a drug overdose. She wants financial help with the fallout.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/10/04/opioid-settlement-overdose-orphans/)
**My official response to the article:**
> I appreciate the opportunity to briefly add context that was included in my hour-long interview but was missing from the article.
>
> I’ve lost a loved one to this crisis. I know the pain and frustration of watching systems fail. I know the hope these opioid settlement funds bring: a chance to transform our inadequate, failed approach to drug use and addiction that has caused such profound loss across our country.
>
> In alignment with the core purpose of the opioid settlement money, I firmly believe that the most meaningful way to honor those we’ve lost and to help living victims is to massively invest (and not just opioid settlement funds!!) in evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. This will help us save lives now and in the future. I reject the idea that spending funds in this way isn’t helping victims. That framing is misguided and doesn’t reflect the purpose of these funds or the needs of those still suffering.
>
> I understand why the idea of direct payments is appealing, it feels like justice for families who have suffered. But it’s not possible to create a just direct payment system. Consider these disbursement decisions: Someone who died from a counterfeit fentanyl pill? Someone who used heroin after being prescribed opioids? What if they were never prescribed opioids? What if the overdose was intentional? What if they were never diagnosed with an opioid addiction? What if family trauma fueled addiction? Who decides which family members are eligible? Imagine the pain of a rejected application or dissatisfaction with the amount. These are just a few challenges and why the funds, like the tobacco settlements, were never designed for direct compensation. But they can and must fund programs that prevent more families from experiencing this pain.
>
> I’m sorry that my quote came across as cold and lacked the context I expressed. I regret that it added to the pain, and I will strive to communicate more clearly and compassionately in the future.
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[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### New Team Member!
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/antonella-peterson/
Last updated: 2026-01-05T14:45:40.000Z
Research thrives on collaboration, and we’re excited to grow our team with ***Antonella “Tony” Peterson***, who started this week as our newest Research Assistant! She'll mostly be helping out with our opioid settlement waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement project so you'll be seeing a lot of her in your inboxes very soon. Let's hear from her in her own words:
### **Tell us a little about your professional background**
Hi! I’m Antonella “Tony” Peterson, an active-duty U.S. Army Medical Service Corps Officer. I help keep more than 30 clinics and external units stocked and mission-ready, everything from surgical supplies to routine patient care items. Alongside my Army career, I’m earning my Master of Public Health at the Yale School of Public Health, focusing on health informatics and how data can drive smarter, fairer health systems.
### **What inspired you to pursue an MPH?**
Throughout my military service, I’ve seen how strategic planning and data-informed policies can directly affect the health and readiness of Soldiers and their families. I pursued an MPH to deepen my understanding of public health systems, equity, and ethical decision-making, and to better bridge the gap between policy and real-world health outcomes.
### **What drew you to research on opioid settlement funds and accountability?**
The opioid epidemic has devastated families and communities, including those connected to military service. I was drawn to this research because settlement funds represent a rare opportunity to drive long-term, equitable public health change, but only if they’re used responsibly and transparently!
### **How do your prior professional experiences help prepare you to shape public health funding through this project?**
As a military medical operations and logistics planner, I’ve worked in complex systems where data quality, funding, supply chains, and health outcomes are deeply connected. That perspective helps me analyze how resources flow and how gaps or inefficiencies can undermine public health goals.
### **What do you hope will come from this research into opioid settlement waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement?**
I hope this work helps communities feel empowered to demand transparency and make sure funds serve the people who’ve been hurt the most. If we can help prevent waste and misuse, we can push more dollars into prevention, treatment, and recovery programs that truly save lives.
*\*Updated 1.5.26 to remove current employment to avoid confusion.*
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
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### Waka Flock-uhhh? 🔥
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/alpr-flock/
Last updated: 2025-12-05T03:31:58.000Z
#### Quick WFAM Project Updates (9.25.25)
- Our [database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability) is at ****257 WFAM examples**
- - 📈 +57 WFAM examples since last post
- ****Current WFAM Total:** \~$23.4mil
- - 📈 +$3.4mil since last post
- Stacks on stacks, racks on racks - **Waka Flocka Flame*
## Waka Flock-uhhh? (or Flock Automated License Plate Readers)
Today, we're calling out spending opioid settlement money on Flock and other automated license plate readers (ALPR):
#### ****Automated License Plate Readers** ~~(+$80k)~~
2025 EOY UPDATE: **+$111,672**
- - ****Vendors:** Flock, Motorola Solutions (Vigilant), et al.
- ****Where:** Illinois, New Jersey, West Virginia
- ****Initial Spending:** Device + subscription
- ****Long-term Costs:** Maintenance, replacements, training, subscription fees
- ****Other Considerations:**
- - ****As always, the purchasing process may have issues:** **Was there an open bidding process for these devices? How was the specific model evaluated for the stated purpose?* **What contact was there between the company and the government?* These questions could generate other concerns and are worth investigating.
- ****The decision-making process might have issues:** **Was the public notified about this purchase? Who was consulted before the purchase? Who approved the purchase?*
- ****The stated outcomes might have issues:** **What are the metrics that law enforcement provided to decision makers to evaluate whether this spending is a “success?” Is there data or research showing that ALPR reduce overdose deaths or improve access to treatment? If not, why would opioid settlement money go towards ALPRs?*
- ****The implementation might have issues:** **How are the ALPR going to be used? Will they respect privacy and civil liberties, or disproportionately target marginalized communities? What safeguards are in place?*
- ****The legacy of these decisions might have a long tail:** **How were ongoing costs, including litigation risks, factored into the decision-making process?*
- - ****Good Spending Alternatives:** Naloxone distribution in high-risk communities, integrating Eat-Sleep-Console into labor and delivery services, lowering barriers to medication to treat opioid addiction with transportation vouchers, peer recovery supports, and paying for under/uninsured people to receive care.
From our standpoint, no surveillance system can address a community's need for addiction prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports. Therefore, anytime we see spending like this, it's going to end up on our database as ****WASTE**.
## Background
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Drones, Dogs & Donuts 🍩
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/drones-dogs-donuts/
Last updated: 2026-01-06T04:01:42.000Z
### Quick WFAM Project Updates (9.10.25)
- Our [database](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability) just reached **200 WFAM examples**
- **Current WFAM Total:** \~$20mil
> *Our database is always growing as the community continues to flag issues. We appreciate your contributions!*
[Flag WFAM 🚨](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability)
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Addressing Pharmacy Bupe Access, Together
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bupe-access-tool-launch/
Last updated: 2025-10-03T00:17:21.000Z
# \~50% of pharmacies don't stock buprenorphine...
that's a massive problem.
Alongside methadone and naltrexone, **buprenorphine (bupe) is recognized as the gold standard for supporting people with an opioid addiction.** Bupe reduces cravings, eases withdrawal, and lowers opioid overdose risks. But access to these FDA-approved medications has long been deliberately restricted. For bupe this primarily happens at pharmacies, but it is also withheld by providers with antiquated approaches to treatment. For methadone, it's the overly controlling opioid treatment provider restriction imposed by the government.
The barriers are rooted in systemic oppression: **racism, classism, the criminalization of survival, and the stigma that dehumanizes people who use drugs.** These barriers are tools of control, reinforcing hierarchies that prioritize profit and punishment over care and autonomy.
Through a mutual aid framework, we have developed a community-led solution that puts power back in the hands of those most affected by the opioid crisis. The fight for bupe access is part of a larger struggle towards a world where needs are met and flourishing is enabled.
> **I’ll never forget watching people in West Virginia rush to the only pharmacy in town that filled bupe prescriptions. While salient, this has never been an isolated issue, and it isn’t just a failure of the system. It is the system working exactly as intended: to limit access, to punish, and to abandon those who need support the most. It wasn't right then. It's not right now.**
## Our Solution
We developed a crowdsource platform to help people help people find bupe at the pharmacy.
## Check it out at [findbupe.org](https://findbupe.org)
[Find Bupe](https://findbupe.org)
**By enabling knowledge sharing about bupe access, our tool helps people reclaim control over their care.** This isn’t just about mapping where medicine is available—it’s about exposing the deliberate barriers that keep life-saving treatment out of reach. The state and medical institutions have failed to address this crisis, leaving people to navigate a broken system alone. This tool is a step towards fixing that.
Our resource isn’t perfect. It relies on people already fighting against an unjust system to do *another thing* (i.e., report bupe access issues). This is not ideal. Better solutions might exist in the future, including meaningful policy changes (more on this later..it's not going well).
**We wish we could pull real-time bupe availability like the** [McFlurry down detector](https://mcbroken.com/) (an inspiration !) **but pharmacies don’t make that data available for controlled substances**.
By design, the database starts today with **zero** pharmacies. It's utility only comes from community members using it and sharing it. We hope it can meet those aims.
> ***Whether you're a person taking bupe, a provider, a harm reduction worker, or a pharmacist, you have a role in reporting bupe access to help people navigate this system.***
This tool is just the start—a way for us to support each other, share resources, and organize. **Our goal isn’t just to highlight the gaps; it’s to fill them ourselves, through solidarity and direct action.**
## Watch Our Demo
## Why Now?
Like we said up top, bupe access has been something that bugged us for a while. We’ve been collecting ideas and notes on this issue since 2017\. While we have done some research and advocacy related to these problems from that folder (and hope that has had an impact...) it has long been time for direct action.
Two things changed since 2017 that make this direct action possible: technology and nothing.
### Technology!
Honestly, this resources was only possible after the advances in coding LLMs and some very late nights. Our privacy research and hobbies have slowly built up these skills to make something private and secure to address bupe pharmacy access. We wanted the resource to be maximally private and secure (we'll have a post on how we did this later) and most off the shelf solutions didn't cut it. With the support of LLMs we we're able to build [findbupe.org](https://findbupe.org) from scratch so we have total control over how the website operates so it protects people who we hope will come to rely on the service.
Tony marveling at Svetlana (and my) skills with web design
### Nothing!?
Each time this issue comes up, either in research we read or talking with folks affected by it, I am frustrated that it hasn't been resolved. My epiphany came when a Michigan Senate bill, supposed to improve bupe access, was gutted by the pharmacy trade group. They had the gall to say publicly that this limp, ineffectual piece of garbage legislation was a sign that access would get better.
It was further proof: they’re not allies in this fight. Real change won’t come from the people who have long restricted access and fight to preserve their business interests over the needs of patients. The solutions has to come from the communities most affected. So I channeled that frustration into building something that might actually help.
## A Note on Other Medications for Opioid Addiction
We don't favor any approach to treat opioid addiction besides evidence-based approaches. Said another way, all the medications to treat opioid addiction are important and should be made available. The thing is, the only one that is at a pharmacy (and not many pharmacies) is bupe. We believe methadone should also be unburdened by existing policy and we stay engaged in that fight. However, this tool is lazer focused on pharmacy access, and since bupe is the only one held back by that, that's where we're engaging right now.
Learn more about why this project is focused on bupe: [What About Methadone and Naltrexone?](https://bupe.opioidpolicy.org/methadone-naltrexone)
## Our Funding
lol.
Like with our other projects, we built this in response to a need without any financial support. We don't wait for external validation from granting organizations to take on an issue. If it needs to be done, we'll do it (sometimes it just takes longer without resources... sigh) or partner with someone who can do it with us.
Setting up this service was fairly low cost, running it might be more expensive...just depends on how successful it is. Our dashboard will give a sense of that on the 1st of every month. In the meantime, we hope you'll consider donating to our effort, either by reporting data, spreading the word, or other contributions.
## Support Our
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
---
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### KFF/CBS News (11 Jul 2025)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/kff-cbs-news-11-jul-2025/
Last updated: 2025-08-29T02:42:26.000Z
# [Who’s Policing Opioid Settlement Spending? A Crowdsourced Database Might Help](https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/opioid-settlements-crowdsourced-database-monitor-spending-state-attorneys-general-oversight/)
We were fortunate to have some news coverage of our opioid settlement waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement (WFAM) resource when it launched back in July 2025\.
This article introduced our new tool for collective action: **a way for people to expose and challenge the waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement of opioid settlement funds in their communities.**
We have been arguing since the beginning that these funds are intended to support those harmed by the opioid crisis...and with a million ways to spend the money, there are a million ways to misspend it. The standard seems simple: *does this spending reduce opioid related morbidity and mortality.*
> Attorneys general should be enforcing that standard too, said Stoltman, of the Opioid Policy Institute. **“If you’re going to bang your chest about how much money you got for your state for opioids,”** he said, **“what are you doing to make sure that it’s actually being spent well?”**
This tool isn’t about *asking* the government to do the right thing. It’s about giving communities the power to document harm, organize resistance, and ***demand*** accountability. The money belongs to the people who’ve been failed by these systems. Spending in ways not aligned with reducing opioid related morbidity and mortality further harms the people this money is purportedly for.
To shine a light on these issues, we'll be sending regular updates documenting opioid settlement waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement and what can be done about it.
[Who’s Policing Opioid Settlement Spending? A Crowdsourced Database Might Help - KFF Health NewsBillions in opioid settlement money was meant to be spent on treating and preventing addiction — but what happens if it’s misspent? Some advocates say attorneys general need to pay closer attention. If they don’t, a new tool might empower the public.KFF Health NewsAneri Pattani](https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/opioid-settlements-crowdsourced-database-monitor-spending-state-attorneys-general-oversight/)
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[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Ohio Newsroom (21 Aug 2025)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/ohio-newsroom-21-aug-2025/
Last updated: 2025-08-27T01:49:44.000Z
# [How a crowdsourced database aims to track problematic opioid settlement spending](https://www.wosu.org/2025-08-21/how-a-crowdsourced-database-aims-to-track-problematic-opioid-settlement-spending)
In this article, we highlight our database tracking opioid settlement waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement.
> The database asks the public to report when the money is being mismanaged — not necessarily from a legal standpoint but from an ethical one. **“For our purposes, we want all of the money to go toward all things related to reducing death and disease associated with opioids,”** Stoltman said.
We also were happy to get into why name brand naloxone (Narcan) is considered wasteful when cheaper alternatives exist and those damn Apex R7 spectrometers that keep popping up...
[How a crowdsourced database aims to track problematic opioid settlement spendingAs local governments across the country receive opioid settlement money, a new crowdsourced database is tracking instances of alleged misuse.WOSU Public MediaErin Gottsacker](https://www.wosu.org/2025-08-21/how-a-crowdsourced-database-aims-to-track-problematic-opioid-settlement-spending)
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### Privacy and Digital Health: Causes for Concern and a Way Forward
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/jam-commentary-2025/
Last updated: 2025-07-30T17:13:37.000Z
In our new invited commentary, we discuss the risk associated with lax privacy practices found in digital health approaches to addiction treatment and recovery. These risks only continues to grow as data is hoovered up by law enforcement and companies interested in further marginalizing people who use drugs. We hope this commentary draws more attention to these issues *and* solutions.
[Download Our Commentary](https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/abstract/2025/07000/privacy%5Fand%5Fdigital%5Fhealth%5F%5Fcauses%5Ffor%5Fconcern%5Fand.3.aspx)
# Next steps
We continue to monitor the companies that are sharing this private health data in a way that harms people seeking treatment or recovery supports online.
[Health Breach Notification Tracking (Report 2.2)It’s been 1,384 days and still no health breach notifications from 22 companies blatantly violating people’s health privacy rights.Opioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-2-health-breach-notification/)
Keep an eye out for new research and advocacy opportunities.
[We'd love to hear from you if you're interested in this topic!](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/contact-form)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
---
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
[Digital Health - Opioid Policy InstituteDigital health is a burgeoning area of investment and interest. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy for patients to tell who the bad actors are. We aim to change this. We want to answer the essential question: How can we protect and expand the rights of patients with opioid use disorders, while reducing barriers to care?Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/digital-health/)
[Privacy and Digital Health: Causes for Concern and a Way... : Journal of Addiction Medicinecompliance,” often utilize surveillance technologies that enable widespread data sharing, including sensitive health information and location data, with third parties, often without informed consent. This is particularly concerning as individuals seeking addiction treatment share highly sensitive data that, once outside the controlled medical and research setting, can lead to discrimination, legal risks, and algorithmic profiling. Drawing on evidence of deceptive practices by digital health companies and a lack of oversight, this commentary argues that current approaches prioritize surveillance capitalism over data protection. This model increases vulnerabilities that disproportionately impact marginalized populations. We must reimagine digital health approaches for SUD treatment by rejecting the surveillance-driven status quo. Implementing a “privacy by design” framework is crucial, alongside robust accountability mechanisms and professional guidance. Effective digital health solutions for SUD must be rooted in ethical standards that prioritize patient dignity, autonomy, and privacy as foundational principles, ensuring that technological innovation aligns with established medical and research ethics. Ultimately, the goal is to leverage digital health’s potential while safeguarding the rights and well-being of vulnerable individuals seeking SUD treatment.…LWW\[email protected\]](https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/abstract/2025/07000/privacy%5Fand%5Fdigital%5Fhealth%5F%5Fcauses%5Ffor%5Fconcern%5Fand.3.aspx)
### Bridge Michigan (25 July 2025)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-25-july-2025/
Last updated: 2025-07-29T16:34:33.000Z
Emphasizing cost-effective strategies is crucial to prevent the misuse of opioid settlement funds
_This post is for subscribers only._
### New Research: Opioid Settlement Accountability
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wfam-accountability-whitepaper/
Last updated: 2026-03-02T03:14:20.000Z
# +$50 billion in opioid settlement funds is headed to communities across the United States...
We're working to make sure the transparency ***and*** accountability measures are in place to reduce waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement (**WFAM**) of these critical funds. We support community members and policymakers as they work to spend this money in a way that is aligned with what the opioid lawsuits set out to accomplish: ***restorative justice.***
## Sign up for Opioid Policy Institute
We're addressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction.
Subscribe
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## Accountability is Lacking...
Davey Scatino and son Eric Scatino discussing the importance of accountability and natural consequences.
In the first three years of opioid settlement spending, there has been a lot of focus on [**transparency**](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-transparency)**.** It's a crucial element of good governance. It is even more important with the opioid settlement money that was sought because of the harms experienced by millions of people during the opioid crisis. People are watching this money. They have a right to know how the money is being spent and make sure it is spent on things that will help others.
While we still need *a lot* of progress on the transparency front (much of the spending is still **not** reported in easily accessible and understandable ways), we're starting to see how it is being spent...and it's what we dreaded.
> A chunk of the opioid settlement money is being ***wasted***. And little is being done about it.
The problem is clear. Some of this money is being spent on waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement **(WFAM).** The risk of this was obvious. It's why so many of us were worried about the process (or lack there of).
Now that we're seeing WFAM we demand [accountability](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability).But finding out how to alert the AG to this opioid settlement WFAM is not as easy.
## Our Research
In our [white paper](https://cryptpad.fr/file/#/2/file/iAuZEsyJwcGDf8mXk5kVKUT0/), we surveyed each US state and territory receiving opioid settlement dollars. Our goal was to understand what process the AG (and other relevant government entities) had in place to receive complaints about how opioid settlement money is being spent.
We argue that the AG is responsible for policing this spending because of the legal argument (*parens patriae)* they used to justify the opioid lawsuits against manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and other related groups.
We found that most AGs aren't holding up their end of the bargain. It was clear, governments aren't doing enough to make reporting WFAM easy and accessible. It's a problem we need your help fixing.
[Download our whitepaper](https://cryptpad.fr/file/#/2/file/iAuZEsyJwcGDf8mXk5kVKUT0/)
## How You Can Help
As a result, we're launching a set of first-of-its-kind resources to make it as easy as possible for ***you*** to report WFAM to oversight authorities.
### Report WFAM
We need your help! +$50billion is a *lot* to keep track of so we created a tool that [**allows you to report WFAM to us**](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability-community#tracking). When you submit a complaint, we'll help you report it to the correct person where you live. You can also [submit it directly to your AG if you prefer](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability-community#reporting)! We tried to identify how to do this for each US state and territory.
### Advocate for better WFAM reporting
We also know state officials respond best to the people they represent, meaning there's a role for you to [**advocate for improved accountability mechanisms in your state and local government.**](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability-community#Advocate)
# Next steps
Right now, there's a lot of WFAM and not much being done. For the most part, people in charge aren't taking charge. We recognize that it is a complex issue with a great degree of heterogeneity. Still, we have to do better. It's not so difficult that three years into spending there were **no** AG processes in place when we started.
Working together to improve these processes is an important first step. So is highlighting WFAM to show there is, in fact, a problem. We appreciate your help!
Idea Credit: Ellen Manegold
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---
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
[WFAM - Opioid Policy InstituteWaste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement of opioid settlement funds.Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/wfam/)
### The Opioid Policy Institute Shuts Down
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opi-fin/
Last updated: 2025-05-02T21:40:35.000Z
# **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Date:** May 2, 2025
Well, folks, pack it up.
Turn off the lights, shred the research papers (save it for confetti though!), and cancel that subscription – the **Opioid Policy Institute is officially closing, *effective immediately*.**
We’re closing because the laser-focused efforts by President Donald J. Trump during his first 100 days in office, have solved the opioid crisis.
**Fin**.
We were surprised too!
For more than a decade, we have been conducting research and advocacy efforts directed towards ending this crisis. We've been analyzing data, drafting recommendations, presenting at conferences, and generally pointing out the rather alarming persistence of, the opioid crisis (more than 20 years!). We produced talks and white papers outlining how treatment works and the barriers to harm reduction that contribute to this longstanding crisis.
And just *46 days ago* ([March 18th, 2025](https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/secretary-kennedy-opiod-crisis-emergency-declaration.html)) the public health emergency declaration was renewed by RFK Jr. So, we thought...lots more work to do!
Turns out, all we needed was The Wall, drugs-on-the-table copaganda photo shoots, and dismantling the public health system to save ***119*** **\-** ***258 million*** lives from fentanyl overdoses in just 💯days. No research can accomplish that!
***119*** **\-** ***258 million*** lives saved from fentanyl overdoses were saved by totally serious person and [Rx Summit Speaker](https://www.hmpglobalevents.com/faculty/rx-summit/4969), US Attorney General Pam Bondi (give her the keynote next year! Name the event after her! Nobel Peace Prize? [Any professor make a nomination](https://www.nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/)...).
WHOA, 119 million lives!!!
258 million lives saved 2 days later!!!! WHOAAAA!!!!
[Yep, 50-75% of the US population saved in 100 days!](https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/04/30/pam-bondi-fentanyl-trump-drug-prevention/)
Man, bodies were *dropping* before Trump came to office. I knew it was bad, but I didn't know it was *this* bad.
After Trump regularly campaigned that the ***true*** opioid overdose death numbers were 200,000-300,000 people (not \~110,000 as reported by...[*everyone*](https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2025/2025-cdc-reports-decline-in-us-drug-overdose-deaths.html)), we thought "wow, they love to make up numbers." But going from 119 to 258 million in two days? That's a new level of delusion!
When you make up numbers, I guess they can double whenever you want. Good to know. Maybe they can drop precipitously when you need to claim victory over this imagined issue too? (NB - opioid-related morbidity and mortality is, of course, a real, significant issue - maybe we can just talk about the *real* issue \[and real solutions\] instead of the made-up ones?).
Who knew this could all be so simple? I guess when you manufacture the threat, you can manufacture the results?
⚠️
\+ Fentanyl can kill you just from [**touching*](https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/video/roll-call-video-warns-about-dangers-fentanyl-exposure) it (or [this](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8810663/))
\+ Fentanyl is in your kid's [**candy*](https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2022/08/30/dea-warns-brightly-colored-fentanyl-used-target-young-americans) (or [this](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/why-this-expert-says-rainbow-fentanyl-is-no-real-threat-to-your-halloween-this-year))
\+ Fentanyl is in the [**air*](https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/Publications/Final%20STANDARD%20size%20of%20Fentanyl%20Safety%20Recommendations%20for%20First%20Respond....pdf) (or [this](https://justjournalism.org/page/fentanyl-exposure?s=04))
Opioid crisis, **OUT**.
## **What Does This Mean For Us?**
We're done. Crisis solved. We'll probably just go back to making [nail polish](https://www.opi.com/).
We understand *you* might still think there's an opioid crisis. That's just because some mainstream "media" outlets might *occasionally* mention things like "overdoses deaths." Don't be fooled. This is probably old data, fake news, or perhaps people just haven't gotten the memo that the problem is *fixed*. Apparently the media **wasn*'*t** ready for this?
Typical.
0:00
/0:01
1×
Are you ready for this, media?
## **A Final Thank You**
So, this is it. The Opioid Policy Institute, founded to address issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction, is now done. Mission accomplished.
We want to extend our deepest, most sincere gratitude to President Trump and the tremendous cabinet for making our job obsolete.🫡 This is why cabinet members like Pam Bondi and RFK Jr. were such necessary voices at the [Rx Summit](https://www.statnews.com/2025/04/24/rfk-jr-outlines-addiction-policy-rx-summit-protests/). They *really* areserious people that understand the opioid crisis...and can help us solve it! Meritocracy in action!
We thought it would be AI that takes us out...or maybe not pirating all that music in the early 2000s...but all it took was 100 days of making shit up, decimating public health, and hand-wavy fentanyl press releases to completely solve the biggest drivers of the opioid overdose crisis.
Stay safe out there in the blissfully fentanyl-free America!
## Support Our
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
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### Privacy and Digital Health: Causes for Concern and a Way Forward 🔏
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/jam-april-2025/
Last updated: 2025-04-19T11:14:29.000Z
Our recent invited commentary about surveillance capitalism in addiction digital health. We make bold calls for corrective action and leadership on this issue. Read more [**here**](https://pdfs.journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/9900/privacy%5Fand%5Fdigital%5Fhealth%5F%5Fcauses%5Ffor%5Fconcern%5Fand.493.pdf?token=method|ExpireAbsolute;source|Journals;ttl|1745027871547;payload|mY8D3u1TCCsNvP5E421JYK6N6XICDamxByyYpaNzk7FKjTaa1Yz22MivkHZqjGP4kdS2v0J76WGAnHACH69s21Csk0OpQi3YbjEMdSoz2UhVybFqQxA7lKwSUlA502zQZr96TQRwhVlocEp/sJ586aVbcBFlltKNKo+tbuMfL73hiPqJliudqs17cHeLcLbV/CqjlP3IO0jGHlHQtJWcICDdAyGJMnpi6RlbEJaRheGeh5z5uvqz3FLHgPKVXJzdFXlpSDJoxKo3eZRp1wP2vge6rTsYxtNe0I1+ptemb3YfhpHyf4AwUCy++8mtOF1D;hash|OjrWbJ+XUX5Z3QPG4WUNtQ==):
[Privacy and Digital Health: Causes for Concern and a Way... : Journal of Addiction MedicineAn abstract is unavailable.LWW\[email protected\]](https://doi.org/10.1097/ADM.0000000000001496)
💡
We're always looking for partners in this work. [****Reach out with questions or thoughts!**](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/contact/)
### Read more about our digital health research and advocacy:
[Digital Health - Opioid Policy InstituteDigital health is a burgeoning area of investment and interest. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy for patients to tell who the bad actors are. We aim to change this. We want to answer the essential question: How can we protect and expand the rights of patients with opioid use disorders, while reducing barriers to care?Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/digital-health/)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
---
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Health Breach Notification Tracking (Report 2.2)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-2-health-breach-notification/
Last updated: 2025-04-15T21:34:46.000Z
📅
**Updated April 15, 2025*
**Originally published April 30, 2024*
We're continuing to shine a light on privacy issues related to online addiction treatment and recovery support by updating our health breach notification tracking.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
Our goal is to understand whether the companies are fulfilling their legal requirement to self-disclose their health breaches to HHS OCR, the FTC, the affected individuals, and the media. This tracking is necessary to determine the effectiveness of "self-regulation" in this space and compliance with the [health breach notification law](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/breach-notification/index.html).
## **Topline**: ***It's still not working.***
##
We are now outside the 60-day mandatory health breach notifications timeframe for all the companies we study.
This includes a company that experienced a [highly publicized data breach](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wired-6-sept-2024/) with **5.3 terabytes** of sensitive health information (including **\~126k** files with recordings of addiction treatment appointments, health insurance information, drug screens, etc.) openly available online and accessible without any login credentials **(*more than* 221 *days ago - well outside the required 60-day notification window*)**.
This is after class action lawsuits against some of the companies that engaged in this illegal data tracking.
This is after letters from US Senators inquiring about data tracking practices and their lack of compliance with existing privacy laws.
***Still***, no one we track has made the necessary health breach notifications after their well-documented and well-known data privacy issues.
In this light, it is hard to see how "self-regulation" is "working."
💡
As shown in the FTC settlements with Cerebral and Monument, companies that provide addiction treatment and recovery support while using privacy-violating tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Meta \[Facebook\] Pixel) is **sufficient to trigger a health breach notification.**
****No**, cookie banners and "click here to see privacy practices" do not qualify as informed consent.
## Let's see how the companies did!
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
_This post is for subscribers only._
### 📢USA I: Is a Monster
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/usa-i-is-a-monster/
Last updated: 2025-02-12T02:21:12.000Z
Times are tough.
Institutions are under **attack**.
Our communities are under **attack**.
You and your loved ones are under **attack**.
The administration *wants* you to feel **fear**.
It *wants* you to feel **helpless**.
To feel **hopeless**.
To **submit**.
**Don't**.
## How you can fight back
When the government is against you, it is hard to see a path to meaningful resistance. The attorneys general are doing their thing, and that's important. Many institutions are caving to *perceived* pressure, and that's disgusting.
Then there is little old you.
We're here to offer *you* some ways to make a difference outside of contacting your representative, collective action, etc. (all essential!)
Supporting organizations and reading news sites can help you figure out what resistance looks like to you. Our list isn't all-encompassing, but it probably has some folks you're less familiar with that are doing a lot of important work behind the scenes. It's also part I of the suite (more on this below).
## Why these organizations?
We want to use our platform to elevate the organizations that inform dissent. The groups below highlight the corruption and illegal actions emanating from this administration in different ways. Think of them as the step *before* collective action.
These organizations do work behind the scenes, work that has led to meaningful change. Sometimes it is a lawsuit. Sometimes it is developing resources to help protesters stay safe. Sometimes it is a breaking news story that stiffens the spine of our elected officials. They do work across marginalized communities and elevate diverse voices. They need your support to make sure this keeps happening.
## Legal Aid
It may seem quaint to lean on the legal system when the administration is acting extrajudicially and threatening to ignore legal action when it occurs (citing the apocryphal Andrew Jackson line: "John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it").
Justice is slow; the harms are fast. Until we stop being a nation of laws, we encourage supporting legal orgs.
### Whistleblower Aid
[](https://whistlebloweraid.org/donate/)
[Whistleblower Aid](https://whistlebloweraid.org/about/) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting and protecting whistleblowers—in the interest of the public. They work to ensure a robust, resilient, and thriving democracy.
The Opioid Policy Institute works with WBA on our legal disclosures and lobbying resulting from our [digital health research](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/digital-health/). We can attest to their professionalism and effectiveness. But don't just take our word for it or [their list of clients](https://whistlebloweraid.org/case-studies/):
> Whistleblower Aid is a pioneering non-profit legal organization that helps public and private sector workers report and expose wrongdoing — safely, lawfully, and responsibly. We have represented some of the most significant whistleblowers of our time, including Frances Haugen of Facebook and the whistleblower whose revelations led to the first impeachment of Donald Trump, creating monumental and lasting changes to our democracy and beyond.
[Support Whistleblower Aid](https://whistlebloweraid.org/donate/)
### Electronic Frontier Foundation
[](https://supporters.eff.org/donate/join-eff-4)
EFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has a long history of fighting Big Tech surveillance capitalism and their monopolistic tendencies. They are *true* champions of free expression, something increasingly under attack under the guise of "free speech." The Opioid Policy Institute has worked with EFF on our [digital health research](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/digital-health/). We can attest to their deep knowledge of issues related to privacy. This extends to how to [stay safe when protesting](https://ssd.eff.org/module/attending-protest).
> The Electronic Frontier Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital world. Founded in 1990, EFF champions user privacy, free expression, and innovation through impact litigation, policy analysis, grassroots activism, and technology development. EFF's mission is to ensure that technology supports freedom, justice, and innovation for all people of the world.
[Support the EFF](https://www.eff.org/pages/donate-eff)
## Journalism
Attacks on the media are a longstanding feature of the administration. The reason is simple: the media has power. Only by discrediting them can the administration diminish their ability to move us to action and push for accountability/transparency.
We know that much of what the new administration is trying to do to the government is classic Big Tech bullshit. That means the people who know it best (and can see through the bluster) are tech journalists. They also have a long history of actually covering the 1st amendment and are acutely aware of the risks of actual government censorship.
Some outlets that are getting all the scoops and covering the topic in a clear-eyed manner are:
### 404 Media
[](https://www.404media.co/signup/)
Many [important](https://www.404media.co/declassified-cia-guide-to-sabotaging-fascism-is-suddenly-viral/) stories are coming out of this small team of reporters.
> 404 Media is a journalist-founded digital media company exploring the ways technology is shaping—and is shaped by—our world. We're focused on investigative reports, longform features, blogs, and scoops about topics including hacking, cybersecurity, cybercrime, sex, artificial intelligence, consumer rights, surveillance, privacy, and the democratization of the internet.
[404 Media](https://www.404media.co/signup/)
### Wired
[](https://www.wired.com/v2/offers/wira01013?source=Site%5F0%5FJNY%5FWIR%5FDESKTOP%5FNAV%5FCTA%5F0%5F2025%5FUS%5FCTRL%5FZZ%5FADB&redirectURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wired.com%2Fcategory%2Fpolitics%2F)
Especially their [politics](https://www.wired.com/category/politics/) reporting. This is a "newer" area of focus as the power circles in Silicon Valley grow closer to DC. They bring a lot of insight and have already broken major stories that are leading to congressional pushback.
[Wired](https://www.wired.com/v2/offers/wira01013?source=Site%5F0%5FJNY%5FWIR%5FDESKTOP%5FNAV%5FCTA%5F0%5F2025%5FUS%5FCTRL%5FZZ%5FADB&redirectURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wired.com%2Fcategory%2Fpolitics%2F)
### TechDirt
[](https://www.techdirt.com/)
For coverage of what free speech *actually* looks like and how it impacts the internet, consider following [Techdirt](https://www.techdirt.com/).
> Started in 1997 by Floor64 founder Mike Masnick and then growing into a group blogging effort, the Techdirt blog relies on a proven economic framework to analyze and offer insight into news stories about changes in government policy, technology, and legal issues that affect companies’ ability to innovate and grow. As the impact of technological innovation on society, civil liberties, and consumer rights has grown, Techdirt’s coverage has expanded to include these critical topics.
[Techdirt](https://www.techdirt.com/support/)
---
We know there are many more orgs out there doing important work. These are ones that you might be less familiar with and could benefit from new supporters.
We will match a **total of $500 in donations to these orgs** if done by February 15th.
Email me a receipt, and we'll get it done.
---
## A note about the post title
Dan Deacon is an American composer and electronic musician based in Baltimore, Maryland. Their suite, America I-IV, is a raucous journey across the heartland, blending live and electronic music. We are using it for inspiration behind four posts about ways to fight rising authoritarianism, technofascism, et al.
> "I wanted the title *America* to have meaning, but I wanted it to mean a million different things to a million different people.
> And America is that way. For some people, it doesn't matter at all; for others, it embodies something they dislike about the world. When a lot of Americans think about American culture, they sort of don't consider themselves American. There's a disassociation with the word. **America is defined often by the military, by the government, by the corporations.** *To me, it's important to be a positive voice in it and be like, 'No, America is also this.'"* [\- Dan Deacon](https://pitchfork.com/features/update/8890-dan-deacon/) (emphasis added)
### Enjoy
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### Advocating for Michigan Legislation - Bills 5178 and 5179
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/5178-5179/
Last updated: 2024-12-03T21:56:09.000Z
Michigan communities and families continue to be devastated by the opioid overdose crisis, even after 20 years. In 2023 alone, there were +2,000 drug overdose deaths.
💡
****These deaths are preventable.**
[](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/5178-5179)
[House Bill 5178](https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2023-HB-5178) & [House Bill 5179](https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2023-HB-5179) unlock common-sense, life-saving, and evidence-based public health approaches to address the overdose crisis. They do this by removing unnecessary barriers to syringe service programs and fentanyl and xylazine test strips.
- Syringe service programs provide access to essential health services for high-risk communities, including reducing infectious disease transmission, crime, and overdose deaths. They have been endorsed by the [Centers for Disease Control (CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/syringe-services-programs/php/index.html)), the [American Medical Association (AMA)](https://www.ama-assn.org/topics/needle-syringe-exchanges), a long list of other professional organizations, and state public health departments. Syringe service programs are authorized in [38 states.](https://legislativeanalysis.org/syringe-services-programs-summary-of-state-laws/)
- Fentanyl and xylazine test strips are simple and cost-effective tools that help people detect these drugs, preventing accidental overdoses and other costly health concerns. They have been endorsed by the [Centers for Disease Control (CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/safety/index.html)), the [American Medical Association (AMA)](https://www.ama-assn.org/topics/fentanyl-test-strips), a long list of other professional organizations, and state public health departments. Test strips are legal in [36 states](https://www.networkforphl.org/resources/legality-of-drug-checking-equipment-in-the-united-states/).
These bills will address Michigan's overdose crisis in two important ways. ***First***, they authorize the establishment and operation of syringe service programs statewide in Michigan. ***Second***, they remove criminal penalties for the distribution, possession, and use of health tools (like fentanyl and xylazine test strips) that assist in reducing health risks associated with the use of substances.
Without these bills, these services will remain restricted throughout the state and result in fines, jail time, and wasted time for people doing this essential work. These barriers also prevent local leaders from investing the $1.5 billion in [opioid settlement money](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/opioid-settlement-money/) into these solutions and further exacerbate existing health disparities, unnecessary health costs, and preventable deaths.
[](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/5178-5179)
### **What These Bills Do**
- Amend the Public Health Code to remove criminal penalties for possessing materials deemed drug “paraphernalia” including supplies distributed by Syringe Service Programs.
- Protect individuals obtaining or returning syringes and other safer use equipment that can currently be deemed paraphernalia from arrest, prosecution, charges, or conviction.
- Remove criminal penalties for the use or possession of drug-checking technologies, not limited to fentanyl and xylazine test strips.
## Sign our letter supporting this legislation
[Sign Here](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/5178-5179)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
[Michigan Drug Users Health Alliance (MIDUHA)Michigan Drug Users Health Alliance (MIDUHA) is a mission-driven alliance committed to action guided by our shared philosophies and practices focused on human rights and health-centered solutions that promote autonomy, dignity, health equity and racial justice with people who use drugs and engage](https://sites.google.com/view/miduha/home)
[Syringe Services ProgramsSyringe services programs (SSPs) are community prevention programs that provide a range of servicesSyringe Services Programs (SSPs)CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/syringe-services-programs/php/index.html)
[MIDUHA SSP Barriers 2024Learn more about SSPsMIDUHA SSP Barriers 2024.pdf258 KBdownload-circle](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/content/files/2024/12/MIDUHA-SSP-Barriers-2024.pdf "Download")
### City Beat 🔊(1 November 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/city-beat-1-nov-2024/
Last updated: 2024-11-11T04:07:35.000Z
### [Elegy: The Many Myths of JD Vance](https://pca.st/episode/b50e82fb-1ff3-4784-9c3d-55aa995f3bea) (Ep. 4: Cultural Heroin)
Great to chat with [Madeline Fening](https://www.citybeat.com/author/madeline-fening) about opioid addiction and the importance of politicians using their platform to *inform* the public about solutions not dehumanizing and demagoguing.
🔊**30*min listen***
### Bridge Michigan (30 October 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-30-october-2024/
Last updated: 2024-11-11T04:16:32.000Z
Slow-moving Michigan AG spurred to action by Opioid Policy Institute complaint.
_This post is for subscribers only._
### The National Desk📽️ (18 October 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/the-national-desk-18-october-2024/
Last updated: 2024-11-11T04:16:00.000Z
### [**Priorities for Opioid Settlement Money: Spend Now vs. Invest for Future**](https://thenationaldesk.com/news/spotlight-on-america/priorities-for-opioid-settlement-money-spend-now-vs-invest-for-future-west-virginia-sober-living-solutions-opioid-policy-institute-oxycontin-centers-for-disease-control)
***3 minutes📽️***
*“That’s not to say that prevention isn't important, but we also know prevention is a real long game,” Stoltman said. “If you think about it as like the building is on fire, the first thing that you've got to do is put out the flames. Right?”*
*“This has been a public health crisis for 20-plus years,” said Jonathan Stoltman, Executive Director of the* [Opioid Policy Institute](https://opioidpolicy.org/)*. “We need to get that money in the community and start saving lives today.”*
### Republished on 67 Local News Outlets
### Bridge Michigan (10 October 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-10-october-2024/
Last updated: 2024-11-11T04:16:56.000Z
Michigan's continued moves to obfuscate opioid settlement spending.
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Addiction Treatment Sessions Exposed by Mental Health Care Firm’s Unsecured Database
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wired-6-sept-2024/
Last updated: 2024-11-15T04:06:18.000Z
### [Wired (6 Sept 2024)](https://www.wired.com/story/confidant-health-therapy-records-database-exposure/)🔒
This is bad.
+120,000 files
+1.7 million activity logs
5.3 *terabytes* of data
Intake files
Audio of sessions
Video of sessions
Drug tests
Therapy notes
all were exposed on an unsecured database.
**This is a privacy and security disaster.**
_This post is for subscribers only._
### MI Dems (30 Aug 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/mi-dems-30-aug-2024/
Last updated: 2026-08-28T18:21:12.000Z
# [Mike Rogers Vows to Fight Drug War, but Urged Opioid Access in Congress \[Bridge Michigan\]](https://michigandems.com/new-mike-rogers-vows-to-fight-drug-war-but-urged-opioid-access-in-congress-bridge-michigan/)
[In the News - Opioid Policy InstituteOur work has appeared in numerous media outletsOpioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman (PhD)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/media/)
## Support Us
Watchdog Research and Advocacy Work
[Contribute ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
#### ****Why Trust Us?**
****Jonathan Stoltman, PhD**
Jonathan has worked as a researcher and advocate focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013\. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University in 2019\. Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, conferences, and media outlets. He has been working on opioid settlement-related topics since 2020.
#### Why You Can Trust OPI
The Opioid Policy Institute exists to help communities improve their response to opioid-related death and disease. We provide evidence-based research and analysis that translates complex legal guidance and public health research into practical, usable insights. Our focus is on transparency, accountability, and community healing by increasing access to evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery supports.
OPI’s analysis reflects a collaborative, team-based approach. We blend real-world and academic experience to help ensure our work is methodologically sound, grounded in evidence, and attentive to real-world implementation challenges. We focus on asking the right questions, surfacing tradeoffs, and helping communities build robust responses to addiction.
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
### Bridge Michigan (29 August 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-29-aug-2024/
Last updated: 2024-11-11T04:17:42.000Z
## [Mike Rogers vows to fight drug war, but urged opioid access in Congress](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/mike-rogers-vows-fight-drug-war-urged-opioid-access-congress)
A nuanced and thoughtful piece of reporting on Michigan Senate candidate Mike Roger's role in the opioid crisis.
Policymakers don't have to be 100% right on issues (though in this case there was already mounting evidence of harm from inappropriate opioid prescribing...). Still, policymakers should be able to acknowledge when they are wrong. Mike Rogers was and is wrong about this issue. By blaming people who developed an addiction to opioids, Mike Rogers continues to use ***industry talking points*** that obfuscate the issues and attempt to shift blame. Clinging to bad policy ideas is not what we need in elected officials, especially during a crisis. We need flexible, data-driven, and thoughtful leadership. We deserve better in Michigan and the US Senate.
_This post is for subscribers only._
### CBS Detroit 📹 (19 Aug 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/cbs-detroit-19-aug-2024/
Last updated: 2024-08-21T12:16:30.000Z
### [Michigan could see over $100 million in opioid settlement money this year](https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/michigan-100-million-opioid-settlement-money/)
"Some of the most important spending has been increasing naloxone distribution; that's the overdose reversal medication," **said Jonathan Soltman, the director of the Opioid Policy Institute.** "Trying to target high-risk communities and make sure that we get more of that medication in the hands of people that need it most. We're starting to see some of the success from that."
In the years since the opioid settlement, money has begun flowing into Michigan. Advocates say that money has been used for a wide range of resources and services. That includes increasing Naloxone access and creating new services like the city of Detroit's 24-hour rapid response team. Advocates say they're pleased with many of the ways the funding has been used — but there's still room for improvement.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### Transparency and Michigan Opioid Settlement Funds
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/mi-treasury-rfr-hub/
Last updated: 2024-11-20T18:02:37.000Z
## Our Treasury Request for Rulemaking
**As you know, transparency regarding opioid settlement spending has been lacking in Michigan.** Michigan has already collected ***$181 million*** in opioid settlement dollars, with future amounts totaling more than ***$1.5 billion***. However, relatively little has been disclosed about this spending. To fulfill the need to know how the money is being used to reduce harm from opioids, the **Opioid Policy Institute** and the **Center for Popular Democracy** are requesting that the Michigan Department of Treasury develop transparent and non-burdensome audit rules to track and disseminate information about all of Michigan's opioid settlement fund spending. This auditing authority exists as part of the *Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund,*but has not been properly leveraged to increase transparency around spending.
A clear auditing process is an essential step towards achieving transparency regarding spending here in Michigan. Transparency is especially critical when dealing with funds intended to address a crisis as profound and personal as the opioid overdose crisis.
## ****Michigan government leaders need to hear from you that transparency is an** ***essential** ****part of opioid settlement spending**
Time for some action
[Contact Michigan Government Officials](https://secure.everyaction.com/n7cuXfqYZkuY00roFI2zwQ2?ms=EM+MIOpoidSettlement+HEALTH)
### **Our issue brief explaining the how and why behind our RFR**
[MI Treasury RFR Issue Brief - 8.12.24MI Treasury RFR Issue Brief - 8.12.24.pdf142 KBdownload-circle](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/content/files/2024/08/MI-Treasury-RFR-Issue-Brief---8.12.24.pdf "Download")
### For the wonky ones, here's the RFR
This RFR was co-authored by the folks at [Popular Democracy](https://www.populardemocracy.org/) and intern Harmukh Singh a J.D. Candidate from Columbia Law School (2024).
[RFR - DOT - Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund - redactedRFR - DOT - Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund - redacted.pdf2 MBdownload-circle](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/content/files/2024/08/RFR---DOT---Michigan-Opioid-Healing-and-Recovery-Fund---redacted.pdf "Download")
### **Here's our open letter advocating for the Michigan Department of Treasury to develop audit rules for the opioid settlement money**
[Michigan Opioid Settlement Sign-on Letter - August 2024For more than 20 years, the opioid epidemic has inflicted immeasurable pain and suffering across Michigan. On behalf of Michigan residents, the government brought forward cases against various opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies to remedy these harms. As a result of these lawsui…Google Docs](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oL9XZUdKclaIl9ek-mXrpZnCYzecgsgoPlS671wIRYA/edit?usp=sharing)
### Update - 11 Nov 2024
Our request was ***DENIED*** \- see the reasoning here:
[MI Treasury RFR DenialMI Treasury RFR Denial.pdf459 KBdownload-circle](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/content/files/2024/11/MI-Treasury-RFR-Denial.pdf "Download")
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### STAT News (22 July 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/stat-news-22-july-2024/
Last updated: 2024-07-22T16:16:35.000Z
Our recent op-ed in STAT News focused on NIDA's reckless spending in the digital health space.
We highlight how NIDA-funded digital health services are frequently using illegal technology when handling sensitive, protected health data and what can be done to fix this (NIDA clawing back the money, more FTC action, and partnership with government groups that understand these risks better than NIDA).
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
[NIDA should beware of funding companies that violate people’s privacyNIH and NIDA have a unique role to play in righting the wrongs of the past and ensuring that future funding does not harm people seeking addiction care.STATJonathan JK Stoltman, Mishka Terplan](https://www.statnews.com/2024/07/22/nida-beware-funding-companies-violate-peoples-privacy/)
## Our Digital Health Research Hub
[Digital Health - Opioid Policy InstituteDigital health is a burgeoning area of investment and interest. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy for patients to tell who the bad actors are. We aim to change this. We want to answer the essential question: How can we protect and expand the rights of patients with opioid use disorders, while reducing barriers to care?Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tag/digital-health/)
### GOP Platform 2024
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/gop-platform-2024/
Last updated: 2024-07-16T19:01:02.000Z
Today we're highlighting all the ways the recently approved GOP platform attempts to address the opioid/drug crisis (with light commentary). Below, I pulled relevant sections and context from the chapter intro.
NB - ***Italics and bolding are mine for emphasis.***
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### Presidential Debate RE: Opioids
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/presidential-debate-june-2024/
Last updated: 2024-07-03T02:37:12.000Z
Much has been written about the debate performances.
*Let's talk a little about the policies.*
Naturally, the opioid policy question piqued my interest.
> **What will you do to help Americans right now in the throes of addiction, who are struggling to get the treatment they need?**
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Inc. (7 June 2024) 🔒
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/inc-7-june-2024/
Last updated: 2024-06-10T20:22:54.000Z
# [Addiction-Treatment Startups Are Raking in VC Money – and Amassing Millions in Fines](https://www.inc.com/sam-blum/addiction-treatment-startups-are-raking-in-vc-money-and-amassing-millions-in-fines.html)
### VCs are rushing in to fund startups that want to tackle drug addiction through technology. Is that a good thing?
Important coverage of the many ways that Silicon Valley's "move fast and break things" ethos, presents a problem when sensitive healthcare information is involved.
Importantly, this coverage pays attention to the role funders play in this mess!
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### The National Desk📽️ (6 June 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/the-national-desk-6-june-2024/
Last updated: 2024-11-04T22:01:29.000Z
### [Lack of transparency still clouds billions in opioid settlement money going to states](https://thenationaldesk.com/news/spotlight-on-america/lack-of-transparency-billions-in-opioid-settlement-money-going-to-states-epidemic-overdose-reversal-drug-naloxone-spotlight-on-america)
***4 minutes📽️***
### Republished by 73 Local News Outlets
### Bridge Michigan (4 June 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-4-june-2024/
Last updated: 2025-12-14T02:51:34.000Z
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Public News Service 🔉(24 April 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/public-news-service-24-april-2024/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:17:37.000Z
## ['Lazarus drug' may have competition in MI](https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2024-04-24/health/lazarus-drug-may-have-competition-in-mi/a89961-1#)
Important reporting about the **harmful** push to get other opioid overdose formulations more widely available in Michigan. These new formulations/medications (high-dose naloxone and nalmefene) will massively harm affected community members and ***not reduce overdose deaths***.
**NOTE**: Naloxone has been working to reverse fentanyl-related (and other opioid) overdoses here in MI (and the rest of the world) for ***years***. Naloxone is very powerful. Anyone who says otherwise is more interested in selling fear and overpriced medications than solving this crisis. Don't be fooled by profiteers.
We need more cheap, readily available naloxone. Everything else is a waste of resources. During a crisis, we don't have resources to waste.
Standard Naloxone Dose Superior to "New" Formulations
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[‘Lazarus drug’ may have competition in MIAfter more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation. Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose. Sen.…](https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2024-04-24/health/lazarus-drug-may-have-competition-in-mi/a89961-1#)
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### Why We Ask for Your Email
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/why-we-ask-for-you-email/
Last updated: 2024-04-22T15:11:38.000Z
OPI follows principles around open science and privacy that influence our research and business operations. Using an email newsletter system is instrumental in fulfilling these principles.
*NB - We use Ghost because* [*Substack*](https://www.techdirt.com/2023/04/14/substack-ceo-chris-best-doesnt-realize-hes-just-become-the-nazi-bar/) *is for* [*Nazis*](https://www.techdirt.com/2023/12/26/substack-turns-on-its-nazis-welcome-sign/) *and edgelords*.
### Open Science
To support our open science principles, we make all our data and reports publicly available. However, this **openness** means that it's scrapable by AI systems. I'm not sure about you, but we don't do this work so multibillion-dollar companies can use it for profit. Putting our writing and data behind this email login (for free!) protects the information from AI scraping (for now). Yes, it's somewhat paradoxical that we use a login (wall) to facilitate **openness** but that's the internet in 2024.
To uphold our end of the **openness** bargain, we won't email you everything we post, just what we think you might care about. We don't sell your email or other data.
### Privacy
In terms of **privacy**, email helps us get some very high-level perspective into our subscribers and not rely on other **privacy**\-**breaking** tracking tools. We want our work to be read and shared, but not at the expense of your autonomy. Web traffic is nice, but people who care enough about our work to share and support it mean more than how many clicks we have.
If you're interested in reading our work, you can opt-in to share your email and name. This allows us to see subscriber counts (growing!). Again, we don't sell this information or any other information to run our site.
Our main website doesn't engage in any tracking [(check)](https://themarkup.org/blacklight?url=opioidpolicy.org&device=mobile&location=us&force=false) that would knowingly violate your **privacy**. On this News subdomain, our payments are processed by Stripe, meaning Stripe collects data to support payment processing. Stripe fraud prevention tools mean there *i*s tracking ([4.18.24](https://themarkup.org/blacklight?url=news.opioidpolicy.org&device=mobile&location=us&force=false)) on the News subdomain. I'm working to adjust how the Stipe tool works with Ghost (our news platform) so that we can better protect your **privacy**.
## OPI, The Business
We don't run ads. We don't have sponsors. We don't sell your emails or data. To make it work, we operate a lean business with very low overhead costs. We're always happy to share the tools we use to make this happen (maybe a future post).
Our only funding is our subscribers and consulting income (including speaker fees and contract work related to research grants). We don't accept money from pharma. We're not paid by "brick-and-mortar" treatment (whatever that means). We don't endorse products. We support approaches: Treatment – medication for opioid use disorder, behavioral therapy; Harm Reduction – naloxone, overdose reversal approaches, etc. You'll notice we follow the academic tradition of using generics when describing medications to avoid endorsing a specific brand name product. We don't accept paid advertising, why would we do free advertising?
OPI is established as an **LLC** because non-profits have limits on lobbying (e.g., influencing legislation, action by Congress, or other governing bodies). We're a policy group so yes, we frequently work with policymakers and government officials. It's our role to inform them about a variety of issues related to our work. Our LLC status helps us conduct this work without concern that we'll lose our non-profit tax status. We're also a small shop and setting up/running a non-profit board brings operational costs that aren't worth the benefits. Think of us more like a [B Corp](https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/) that hasn't paid the $2,000 annual fee. In the event someone *wants* to donate significant sums but doesn't because we're not a non-profit, we'll figure it out and I'll learn how to "educate" but not "lobby." We'll also disclose this.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
OPI did start a non-profit project with 100 Days in Appalachia, a non-profit news collaborative. [Reporting on Addiction](https://www.reportingonaddiction.org/) provides technical assistance to journalists, journalism educators, and experts to create a more accurate and empathic understanding of addiction. We're proud of this work and how much it has accomplished since it was founded in 2021\. That project is donor-funded (individuals) and I don't/haven't drawn a salary from that work (4.18.24). I'll disclose that when I do.
We apply for research and foundation grants 🤞 but a lot of our work is outside the scope of many grants. Being an LLC allows us to apply for federal grants.; however, we don't think NIDA will fund research that criticizes their funding of digital health apps so we don't bother submitting that work. No other funder has taken a chance on that work either. Yet, we regularly brief the federal government about it and it garners top-tier media coverage, so we're doing something right...
That's why we set up OPI. We wanted a place to do the work that needed to be done without academic (i.e., grant and academic publishing) pressure. And we're doing it in big ways.
### Why This Matters
We don't *have* to do any of these things. However, we think this level of transparency is important.
It's important to explain how OPI operates because we've experienced ad hominem attacks about our "funding" that are always speculative, inaccurate, defamatory, and an attempt to distract from our findings. You also deserve to know if someone in the public sphere is funded to say the things they say.
If you're not sure why we do what we do or think there's some ulterior "agenda" driving this work – reach out and we'll clear up the misunderstanding.
OPI might fail, but we won't compromise our commitment to open science and privacy in the process.
More about why we took this approach to collecting emails from the great folks at 404 Media:
[We Need Your Email AddressAI stealing our work. The collapse of social networks. The need to pay journalists to produce impactful journalism. Here is why we are asking for your email address to read 404 Media.404 MediaJason Koebler](https://www.404media.co/why-404-media-needs-your-email-address/)
### WZZM ABC News Grand Rapids 📹 (17 April 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wzzm-17-april-2024/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:17:28.000Z
### [How Kent County is spending its first $1.6 million and why experts want more transparency](https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/investigations/kent-county-opioid-settlement-how-money-will-be-spent/69-78be8d02-c537-480b-aa51-38c01d5d4729)
Important local reporting about transparency issues with the opioid settlement money.
NOTE: Needs assessments should be done ***before*** spending decisions.
Public health officials should advocate for public health approaches.
The ask for funding harm reduction supplies was trivial and based on evidence that these approaches will reduce morbidity and mortality.
We can't have these funding decisions made through backroom deals.
We're busy pushing back, but it is running into a lot of resistance.
We could have just had transparency from the start and not wasted all this time/energy building a system that can be accountable to the public.
Sigh.
Open requests for grants, meetings, and voting are first steps. We have time.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### Bridge Michigan (16 April 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-16-april-2024/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:17:14.000Z
### [As opioid funds flood Michigan, tensions rise over how best to reverse ODs](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/opioid-funds-flood-michigan-tensions-rise-over-how-best-reverse-ods)
It's great to hear the State of Michigan is pushing back against this high-dose naloxone and nalmefene nonsense. These "new" opioid overdose reversal approaches are not [wanted](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38039052/) or [needed](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7305a4.htm?s%5Fcid=mm7305a4%5Fw). I do wish generic naloxone was on the portal instead of the more expensive name brand, but that's for later.
While no one can predict where the crisis will go next, when it comes to reversing fentanyl or other opioids, the naloxone protocol works great. It has for years.
- It's sad to hear impacted families who have been **paid by pharma companies** speak outside their lane.
- It's sad to see them provided a platform for a pharma sales pitch.
❌
Using double the dose necessary is not a no-brainer. It's brain-dead.
I don't know how to get us there, but we all need to start rowing in the same direction. This is too urgent a crisis to have so much mis/disinformation polluting the information ecosystem.
Addiction isn't the only disease where affected groups (families, people with active drug use or addiction, in treatment, long-term recovery, providers, and scientists) can't seem to get on the same page, but it's a huge blocker to our success. We act more like warring factions driven by ideologies instead of human rights principles and science.
We have more to say on this later. In the meantime, we will keep pushing against profiteering and bad spending of opioid settlement money.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
[As opioid funds flood Michigan, tensions rise over how best to reverse ODs | Bridge MichiganSome argue a need for more potent — and pricier — overdose reversal drugs; others frame that effort as drugmakers peddling fear. The wrong choice could cost lives.Bridge MichiganRobin Erb](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/opioid-funds-flood-michigan-tensions-rise-over-how-best-reverse-ods)
### USA vs Cerebral Inc
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/usa-vs-cerebral-16-april-2024/
Last updated: 2024-11-15T04:02:46.000Z
## *No-brain business practices*
On April 15, 2024, the FTC and DOJ resolved their complaint against Cerebral, a digital health service offering mental health (now including addiction) treatment. Cerebral was found to violate, Section 5 of the FTC Act (deceptive practices), the Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act of 2018 (deceptive practices related to addiction treatment and recovery), and the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (dark patterns).
*NB - Cerebral is not in our database. When we started Cerebral was a mental health treatment app but did not include addiction treatment. In 2021/22, Cerebral ventured into addiction treatment *(likely because of the relaxed telehealth prescribing rules...)* When I expanded our analysis for Report +2 they did not fit the funding criteria (Cerebral never received NIH/NIDA funding). I probably won't include them in future reports because the FTC/DOJ is on it. One less company to track...thank you, FTC!*
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
## What did Cerebral do?
A lot. [The complaint is a wild ride through some abhorrent business practices](https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc%5Fgov/pdf/2223087cerebralcomplaint.pdf) and clearly shows the **intent** behind these decisions.
🚨
****"**[****Cerebral** provided sensitive information of nearly 3.2 million consumers to third parties such as LinkedIn, Snapchat, and TikTok by using or integrating tracking tools on its website or apps. These tracking tools collect and send data to third parties so they can provide advertising, data analytics, or other services to the owner of the websites or apps****.**](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/04/proposed-ftc-order-will-prohibit-telehealth-firm-cerebral-using-or-disclosing-sensitive-data)****"**
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Tate Chronicles 🔊(13 April 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tate-chronicles-13-april-2024/
Last updated: 2024-04-15T15:31:16.000Z
### [The Tate Chronicles: Dr Jonathan Stoltman, Director at the Opioid Policy Institute](https://soundcloud.com/hcnradio/the-tate-chronicles-dr-jonathan-stoltman)
Great to chat with [Jim Tate](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/#) about our opioid addiction privacy work and the role of opioid settlement money in stemming the addiction crisis we're facing.
🔊**27*min listen***
### Report 2 - Data Dashboard
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-dashboard/
Last updated: 2025-03-25T03:19:25.000Z
### Visualizing and Continuously Monitoring Data Related to Privacy & Opioid Addiction Treatment and Recovery Websites
🚨
***The goal of this work remains protecting and advancing the privacy rights of people with an opioid addiction.**
Below is a walk-through of data included in the Report 2 series (2.1 et al.). More than just a "data dump," the widgets below walk you *through* the data to add important context and analysis beyond the written reports and limitations inherent to flat PDFs.
We'll release a series of explainers specific to this work over the next couple of weeks to help further contextualize our findings. Those videos will also be shared here too.
We hope that **highlighting** data in this way meets two needs:
*1\. The data becomes more accessible to patients, providers, payers, and funders using or promoting these services so that they may independently evaluate the services. This is particularly important because the privacy claims made by these services are quite different from the privacy practices described by our reports. The burden of making sure a service follows privacy regulations or is protecting privacy as it claims to *should not fall to the patient.* This report represents the floor for privacy issues, not the ceiling. So even if a patient were to use our data or the available tools, *there may be other ways their data is being redisclosed without their informed consent*. However, the current system is either too broken, slow, or unresponsive to meet the privacy needs of people seeking life-saving addiction treatment and recovery support. *We'll keep advocating for these protections to be enforced and enhanced.**
*2\. The data becomes more accessible to people working to correct this behavior that unnecessarily puts people at risk by violating patient's expectations and the existing privacy regulations. PDF versions of the report also serve this need...but sometimes people want to "see" the data.*
🤘
This page is also where ***NEW** time points related to the Report 2 series will be automatically updated and visualized.
Unlike traditional research, this is an *ongoing* project with no planned end date. However, releasing a *new* report for each *new* time point ***does not make sense***. Having a data dashboard frees us up to work on writing up other data related to this work while still keeping an eye on this part of our project.
💡
While this project aims to be comprehensive, it is possible that the Markup Blacklight tool did not catch all possible issues at all possible time points. Thus, this data is the **minimum* representation of privacy risks these services present to patients, providers, payers, and funders.
## [Company Summaries](news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-dashboard/)
*Information about the services including a high-level privacy summary, funding, and examples of privacy claims in advertisements or on the website.*
## [Privacy Issue Summary ](news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-dashboard/)
*March 2021 - now*
## [Use of Ad Trackers](news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-dashboard/)
*March 2021 - now*
## [Use of Cookies](news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-dashboard/)
*March 2021 - now*
## [Keylogging](news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-dashboard/)
*March 2021 - now*
## [Meta (Facebook) Pixel](news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-dashboard/)
*March 2021 - now*
## [Google Analytics](news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-dashboard/)
*March 2021 - now*
## [All Data](news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-dashboard/)
*March 2021 - now*
### Data collection timeframe:
1\. March 2021
2\. November 2021
3\. June 2022
4\. July 2022
5\. September 2022
6\. March 2023
\-------------------------
7\. June 2023\*\*^
8\. November 2023\*\*^
9\. February 2024\*\*^
10\. April 2024\*\*^ (Pelago Health/Quit Genius added)
\*\* update made to the [Markup's Blacklight tool](https://themarkup.org/blacklight/2023/05/31/blacklight-updated-with-new-tracker-lists)
^ not in Report 2.1
---
[Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)
---
[Report 2.1 - Company BreakdownSummary of privacy issues by opioid addiction treatment and recovery services broken down by company.Opioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/digital-health/report-2-1-company-summaries/)
[Report 2.1Report 2.1, highlights NIDA’s reckless grant spending that has bolstered digital opioid addiction treatment and recovery services.Opioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/digital-health/report-2-1/)
[Report 2We’re addressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction.Opioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/digital-health/report-2/)
[Report 1We’re addressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction.Opioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/digital-health/report-1/)
### Pelago Health
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/pelago-health/
Last updated: 2024-11-15T04:05:19.000Z
## Available in all 50 States + Adolescent Care + Substantial Privacy Risks
Pelago Health just closed a $58 million [Series C funding](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/102015/series-b-c-funding-what-it-all-means-and-how-it-works.asp) round for their digital addiction treatment service! How was this company not in my database already...let's chase the white rabbit. 🐇
_This post is for subscribers only._
### USA vs Monument Inc
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/usa-monument-11-april-2024/
Last updated: 2024-11-15T04:03:20.000Z
## *Monumental addiction privacy settlement?*
On April 11, 2024, the FTC and DOJ resolved their complaint against Monument, a digital alcohol addiction treatment service. Monument was found to violate both Section 5 of the FTC Act (deceptive practices) and the Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act of 2018 (deceptive practices related to addiction treatment and recovery). This landmark case establishes key precedents related to digital addiction treatment and privacy.
## What did Monument do?
As the complaint reads, Monument was:
_This post is for subscribers only._
### STAT News (5 April 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/stat-news-5-april-2024/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:16:55.000Z
Immigration policy treats people who use drugs or have an addiction as undesirable. This doesn't recognize the widespread drug use in the United States or the science that addiction is a treatable chronic disease. For many, this is an "out of sight, out of mind" issue, but we think it needs more attention. Stigma and discrimination against people with an addiction or who use drugs are driving federal policy in harmful ways.
The demagoguery of Prince Harry is an avatar for this issue, but countless more suffer from the sword of Damocles that is a result of this line of question for people entering our country. Drug use is not a character flaw. Addiction is not a moral failing.
We aim for this piece to start a broader discussion about modernizing immigration policy to be practical and aligned with public health.
*I was honored to work on this op-ed with Giorgi Minasovi. They are a former Fulbright Scholar and graduate of Georgetown University's Master of Science in Addiction Policy & Practice. This op-ed stems from their master's thesis.*
[Does addiction make you un-American?The rhetoric surrounding Prince Harry’s ability to live in the U.S. highlights the need to make the immigration system align with today’s scientific understanding of health care and human rights.STATGiorgi Minasovi, Jonathan JK Stoltman](https://www.statnews.com/2024/04/05/does-addiction-make-you-un-american/)
### Bridge Michigan (28 March 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-28-march-2024/
Last updated: 2024-03-28T16:24:31.000Z
### [Michigan opioid settlement dollars sit unspent as crisis rages](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/michigan-opioid-settlement-dollars-sit-unspent-crisis-rages)
Highlighting the issue in Michigan with spending the opioid settlement money, lack of transparency, and the urgent need to spend the money.
### Treat Addiction Save Lives 🔉(22 March 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/podcast-22-march-2024/
Last updated: 2024-03-28T01:21:00.000Z
### [Reporting on Addiction](https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-gq7w5-15bccda)
Talking [Reporting on Addiction](https://www.reportingonaddiction.org/), a collaboration between the [Opioid Policy Institute](https://opioidpolicy.org/) and [100 Days in Appalachia](https://www.100daysinappalachia.com/). We talk about how we started and where we're going.
***45 minutes🔉***
### Bridge Michigan (1 March 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-1-march-24/
Last updated: 2024-03-13T17:39:33.000Z
### [Providers: Rollout of $1.5B opioid settlement a ‘huge disaster’ in Michigan](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/providers-rollout-15b-opioid-settlement-huge-disaster-michigan)
Highlighting the many unnecessary barriers to opioid settlement funds for community organizations dedicated to tackling this issue.
### Bridge Michigan📽️ (28 February 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-28-feb-24/
Last updated: 2024-03-28T01:20:33.000Z
### [Bridge Lunch Break: Spending Michigan’s Opioid Settlement Money](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IHO7Thyoyk)
[](https://www.youtube.com/@bridge.michigan)
**60 minutes 📽️**
### Report 2.1 - Company Breakdown
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-1-company-summaries/
Last updated: 2024-11-15T04:04:35.000Z
### Summary of privacy issues by opioid addiction treatment and recovery service:
_This post is for subscribers only._
### Politico Pro (21 February 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/politico-pro-21-feb-24/
Last updated: 2024-03-13T17:32:22.000Z
## [Addiction apps are leaking sensitive data, group claims](https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/02/addiction-apps-are-leaking-sensitive-data-group-claims-00142462)
Highlighting our privacy research
[Report 2.1Report 2.1, highlights NIDA’s reckless grant spending that has bolstered digital opioid addiction treatment and recovery services.Opioid Policy InstituteJonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/digital-health/report-2-1/)
### Report 2.1
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2-1/
Last updated: 2025-03-25T03:26:05.000Z
## Websites for Opioid Addiction Treatment and Recovery Services: *Data Sharing and Privacy Risks* **\- NIDA Update**
Jonathan Stoltman, PhD
Director, Opioid Policy Institute
[Download Report](https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25283704.v1)
[Data](https://airtable.com/appMmwFFYo20W1mTw/shrTTGHK3iDpgw2oo)
[Support Our Work](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
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### Bridge Michigan (7 February 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-7-feb-24-3/
Last updated: 2024-03-13T17:46:49.000Z
### [Michigan won’t know how $725M is spent on opioids help. Other states do it better](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/michigan-wont-know-how-725m-spent-opioids-help-other-states-do-it-better)
Highlighting the mess in how the State of Michigan is handling the $1.6 billion in opioid settlement money.
### Bridge Michigan (7 February 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-7-feb-24-2/
Last updated: 2024-03-13T17:45:13.000Z
### [Michigan opioid cash sparks feeding frenzy of vendors, seeking cut of $1.5B](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/michigan-opioid-cash-sparks-feeding-frenzy-vendors-seeking-cut-15b)
Highlighting the mess in how the State of Michigan is handling the $1.6 billion in opioid settlement money.
### Bridge Michigan (7 February 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-7-feb-24-1/
Last updated: 2024-03-13T17:43:55.000Z
### [As opioid deaths mount, Michigan governments sit on millions for intervention](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/opioid-deaths-mount-michigan-governments-sit-millions-intervention)
Highlighting the mess in how the State of Michigan is handling the $1.6 billion in opioid settlement money.
### WBUR/NPR Boston (29 January 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wbur-29-january-2024/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:15:32.000Z
Emphasizing the importance of getting opioid settlement money out **quickly** tofund evidence-based solutions.
[Boston dedicates small portion of opioid settlement funds to grieving familiesBoston’s first distribution of opioid settlement funds will go to families who’ve lost a member to an overdose. Initial grants for funerals, child care and housing are expected this summer. Boston plans to renew the $250,000 fund annually.WBURMartha Bebinger](https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/01/29/boston-dedicates-small-portion-of-opioid-settlement-funds-to-grieving-families)
### Bridge Michigan (16 Jan 2024)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/bridge-michigan-16-jan-2024/
Last updated: 2024-05-23T14:24:20.000Z
### [Michigan disbands racial equity group as tension mounts over opioid money](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/michigan-disbands-racial-equity-group-tension-mounts-over-opioid-money)
We discuss the need to include racial equity in opioid settlement spending decisions in light of Michigan stripping power from this group by dissolving and distributing members across other task forces.
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
[Michigan disbands racial equity group as tension mounts over opioid money | Bridge MichiganThe state spent $148,000 on a racial equity group to offer advice on how to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in opioid settlement funds. But after issuing recommendations, the group said it was ‘silenced.’Bridge MichiganRobin Erb](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/michigan-disbands-racial-equity-group-tension-mounts-over-opioid-money)
### AHCJ (27 Nov 2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/ahcj-27-nov-2023/
Last updated: 2024-11-18T16:50:11.000Z
## [Reporting on addiction accurately and ethically](https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2023/11/reporting-on-addiction-accurately-and-ethically-webinar/)
Our webinar with the Association of Health Care Journalists, a resource hub for health journalists.
[Reporting on addiction accurately and ethicallyIn this webinar, learn how to avoid some of the most common errors reporters make when covering drug addiction.Association of Health Care JournalistsKatti Gray](https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2023/11/reporting-on-addiction-accurately-and-ethically-webinar/)
### AHCJ (10 Nov 2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/ahcj-10-nov-2023/
Last updated: 2024-11-18T17:08:23.000Z
## [‘Offensive’ news about opioids in Appalachia prompts launch of website aimed at improving addiction coverage](https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2023/10/offensive-news-about-opioids-in-appalachia-prompts-launch-of-website-aimed-at-improving-addiction-coverage/)
Our conversation with the Association of Health Care Journalists, a resource hub for health journalists.
[‘Offensive’ news about opioids in Appalachia prompts launch of website aimed at improving addiction coverageDo you cover drug addiction in your community? If so, you should be aware of how, among other things, word choice leads to more evidence-based, factual reporting. ReportingOnAddiction.org offers journalists some guidance.Association of Health Care JournalistsKatti Gray](https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2023/10/offensive-news-about-opioids-in-appalachia-prompts-launch-of-website-aimed-at-improving-addiction-coverage/)
### The National Desk📽️ (19 October 2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tnd-19-oct-23/
Last updated: 2024-03-28T01:22:23.000Z
### [Lack of transparency concerns over billions in opioid settlement money distributions](https://thenationaldesk.com/news/spotlight-on-america/lack-of-transparency-concerns-over-billions-in-opioid-settlement-money-distributions)
***10 minutes📽️***
### Republished:
KHGI-TV (Kearney, NE)
WGME-TV (Portland, ME)
WEAR-TV (Pensacola, FL)
WJLA-TV (Arlington, VA)
KDBC-TV (El Paso, TX)
KOKH-TV (Oklahoma City, OK)
WCTI-TV (New Bern, NC)
WHP-TV (Harrisburg, PA)
WSYX-TV (Columbus, OH)
KFDM-TV (Beaumont, TX)
KRCG-TV (New Bloomfield, MO)
WKEF-TV (Miamisburg, OH)
KSNV-TV (Las Vegas, NV)
KFXA-TV (Cedar Rapids, IA)
WZTV-TV (Nashville, TN)
WLOS-TV (Asheville, NC)
KOKH-TV (Oklahoma City, OK)
KTXS-TV (Abilene, TX)
WWMT-TV (Kalamazoo, MI)
WCIV-TV (Mount Pleasant, SC)
WCHS-TV (Charleston, WV)
WHP-TV (Harrisburg, PA)
fox28savannah.com (Savannah, GA)
### The National Desk📽️ (10 October 2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/tnd-10-oct-23/
Last updated: 2024-03-28T01:22:45.000Z
#### [$52 billion debate: The best way to spend opioid lawsuit settlement money?](https://fox17.com/news/spotlight-on-america/52-billion-dollar-debate-states-getting-cash-infusion-tackle-opioid-crisis-how-should-money-spent-harm-reduction-services-law-enforcement-treatment-prevention-recovery-syringe-program-methadone-saboxone-narcan)
***10 minutes📽️***
### Republished:
WZTV-TV (Nashville, TN)
KMEG-TV (Dakota Dunes, SD)
KSNV-TV (Las Vegas, NV)
WCIV-TV (Mount Pleasant, SC)
WCHS-TV (Charleston, WV)
KIMA-TV (Yakima, WA)
KPTM-TV (Omaha, NE)
WEAR-TV (Pensacola, FL)
WYME-TV (Gainesville, FL)
KHGI-TV (Kearney, NE)
KTVO-TV (Kirksville, MO)
WPDE-TV (Conway, SC)
KRCG-TV (New Bloomfield, MO)
WWMT-TV (Kalamazoo, MI)
WICD-TV (Champaign, IL)
WCTI-TV (New Bern, NC)
WEYI-TV (Flint, MI)
KDBC-TV (El Paso, TX)
WJLA-TV (Arlington, VA)
KOMO-TV (Seattle, WA)
KFDM-TV (Beaumont, TX)
KIMA-TV (Yakima, WA)
KBOI-TV (Boise, ID)
KTXS-TV (Abilene, TX)
KFXA-TV (Cedar Rapids, IA)
### AHCJ (10 October 2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/ahcj-10-october-2023/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:14:57.000Z
[‘Offensive’ news about opioids in Appalachia prompts launch of website aimed at improving addiction coverageDo you cover drug addiction in your community? If so, you should be aware of how, among other things, word choice leads to more evidence-based, factual reporting. ReportingOnAddiction.org offers journalists some guidance.Association of Health Care JournalistsKatti Gray](https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2023/10/offensive-news-about-opioids-in-appalachia-prompts-launch-of-website-aimed-at-improving-addiction-coverage/)
### WVU Magazine (2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wvu-magazine-2023/
Last updated: 2024-06-20T18:17:49.000Z
# [With Purpose: Reporting on Addiction](https://magazine.wvu.edu/stories/2023/04/09/with-purpose-reporting-on-addiction)
###
"The language journalists use must be precise, must be fair and above all, do no harm. In reporting on addiction for the last several decades, the media — both print and broadcast — have used language dealing with the disease that breaks all of those rules, leaving those who are experiencing addiction in their lives to face additional stigma and discrimination, and communities ill-informed on how to solve the problems substance misuse creates."
[WVU Magazine | With Purpose: Reporting on AddictionThe language journalists use must be precise, must be fair and above all, do no harm. Journalists can create change by changing their language.West Virginia UniversityWritten by Pam Pritt](https://magazine.wvu.edu/stories/2023/04/09/with-purpose-reporting-on-addiction)
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
### The Cap Times (7 Aug 2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/the-cap-times-7-aug-2023/
Last updated: 2024-06-10T20:28:31.000Z
### [Addiction-treating drug still seldom prescribed in ERs, study finds](https://captimes.com/news/business/addiction-treating-drug-still-seldom-prescribed-in-ers-study-finds/article%5F40e51dcf-dbd7-5aec-8ceb-d3f91e8fcbbf.html)
Talking about the massive gaps in prescribing evidence-based lifesaving treatment for opioid addiction:
💡
The 7.6% prescribing rate is still far below the (roughly) 100% it should be
[Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM)
[Addiction-treating drug still seldom prescribed in ERs, study findsIt’s now easier than ever for doctors to prescribe buprenorphine. Still only a fraction of eligible patients receive it, Epic Systems researchers found.The Cap TimesNatalie Yahr](https://captimes.com/news/business/addiction-treating-drug-still-seldom-prescribed-in-ers-study-finds/article%5F40e51dcf-dbd7-5aec-8ceb-d3f91e8fcbbf.html)
### WVU Reed College of Media
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wvu-reed-college-of-media/
Last updated: 2024-11-18T17:03:54.000Z
_This post is for subscribers only._
### The Open Notebook (16 May 2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/the-open-notebook-16-may-2023/
Last updated: 2024-11-18T16:45:34.000Z
_This post is for subscribers only._
### ideastream (5 May 2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/ideastream-5-may-2023/
Last updated: 2024-03-27T14:02:29.000Z
### [Emergency opioid overdose boxes installed at Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority residences](https://www.ideastream.org/health/2023-05-05/emergency-opioid-overdose-boxes-installed-at-cuyahoga-metropolitan-housing-authority-residences)
Highlighting the unnecessary and costly purchase of [Naloxboxes](https://naloxbox.org/collections/all?page=1). They are charging $100's for plastic boxes to ***hold*** naloxone.
We must stop the rampant profiteering and use money to support evidence-based, cost-effective solutions to this crisis.
### STAT News (17 April 2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/stat-news-17-april-2023/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:14:31.000Z
[OTC naloxone is a baby step toward making the life-saving medication accessible](https://www.statnews.com/2023/04/17/otc-narcan-naloxone-price-availability/)
Critiquing profiteering by naloxone manufacturers and proposing solutions to fix this issue.
### KFF/NPR (30 Mar 2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/kff-npr-30-mar-2023/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:14:10.000Z
[**As states start to get opioid settlement cash, few are sharing how they spend it**](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/03/30/1166883204/as-states-start-to-get-opioid-settlement-cash-few-are-sharing-how-they-spend-it)
Promoting transparency with opioid settlement money to ensure it goes towards evidence-based solutions.
### CBS News (29 Mar 2023)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/cbs-news-29-mar-2023/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:13:48.000Z
[**FDA approves overdose-reversing Narcan for over-the-counter sale**](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/narcan-approved-over-the-counter-sale-fda/)
Comments on how OTC naloxone isn’t enough to address issues with access.
### Wired (16 Nov 2022)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wired-16-nov-2022/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:13:00.000Z
[**Telehealth Sites Put Addiction Patient Data at Risk**](https://www.wired.com/story/substance-abuse-telehealth-privacy-tracking-tech/)
Our Report 2 covering privacy issues with mHealth addiction websites served as the foundation for this reporting.
### University of Wisconsin Center for Journalism Ethics (5 Dec 2022)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/university-of-wisconsin-center-for-journalism-ethics-5-dec-2022/
Last updated: 2024-11-18T16:57:58.000Z
## [For the media, an urgent call to improve coverage of addiction and recovery](https://ethics.journalism.wisc.edu/2022/12/05/for-the-media-an-urgent-call-to-improve-coverage-of-addiction-and-recovery/)
Our conversation with Zehra Topbas from the University of Wisconsin Center for Journalism Ethics about the importance of Reporting on Addiction.
### Report 2
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/report-2/
Last updated: 2025-03-25T03:20:33.000Z
_This post is for subscribers only._
### WGVU/NPR 🔊(29 Aug 2022)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wgvu-29-aug-2022/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:12:40.000Z
[**About the Opioid Policy Institute**](https://www.wgvunews.org/the-wgvu-morning-show/2022-08-29/opioid-policy-institute)
We talk with Shelley Irwin about [Reporting on Addiction](https://www.linkedin.com/company/reporting-on-addiction/) and addiction science.
🔊***10min listen***
### 100 Days in Appalachia (14 June 2022)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/100-days-in-appalachia-14-june-2022/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:11:59.000Z
[**The Federal Website That’s Supposed to Help ‘Find Treatment’ Needs Work, Experts Say**](https://www.100daysinappalachia.com/2022/06/the-federal-website-thats-supposed-to-help-find-treatment-needs-work-experts-say/?mc%5Fcid=c2181f04f3&mc%5Feid=2c7aa2a72b)
Provided thoughts on findtreatment.gov and how to improve this vital national resource.
### KFF/CNN/USA Today (11 May 2022)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/khn-11-may-2022/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:11:30.000Z
[**America's response to addiction relies on fixing this website**](https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/11/health/national-addiction-treatment-locator-khn/index.html)
Provided thoughts on findtreatment.gov and how to improve this vital resource.
### WVPB/NPR West Virginia (7 April 2022)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wvpb-npr-7-april-2022/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:11:02.000Z
[**Even After Death, Stories Of Recovery Can Give Hope**](https://www.wvpublic.org/health-science/2022-04-07/even-after-death-stories-of-recovery-can-give-hope)
About the power of narratives when talking about addiction.
### Buzzfeed News (20 Feb 2022)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/buzzfeed-news-20-feb-2022/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:10:41.000Z
[**Here’s What the Overdose Death Trial of Major League Baseball Pitcher Tyler Skaggs Missed About America’s Opioid Crisis**](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/danvergano/opioid-crisis-skaggs-baseball-overdose-trial)
Provided thoughts on the inadequacy of criminal justice approaches to addiction.
### Vox/Recode (12 July 2021)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/vox-recode-12-july-2021/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:10:14.000Z
[**The struggle to make health apps truly private**](https://www.vox.com/recode/22570076/health-apps-privacy-opioid-addiction-app-report)
Why privacy and patient advocates are worried that substance use disorder apps aren’t keeping data private.
### TechCrunch (7 July 2021)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/techcrunch-7-july-2021/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:09:55.000Z
[**Opioid addiction treatment apps found sharing sensitive data with third parties**](https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/07/opioid-addiction-treatment-apps-found-sharing-sensitive-data-with-third-parties/)
Widely used apps are accessing unique device identifiers that can track users.
### Financial Times (7 July 2021)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/financial-times-7-july-2021/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:09:26.000Z
[**Opioid addiction apps access personal data, study finds**](https://www.ft.com/content/b9e05366-47f0-48ab-8a24-e40a37ad0384)
Platforms gain entry to sensitive user information such as phone number and IP address.
### Report 1
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/report-1/
Last updated: 2025-03-25T03:20:02.000Z
_This post is for subscribers only._
### WVPB/NPR West Virginia Morning 🔊(10 May 2017)
URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/wvpb-west-virginia-morning-10-may-2017/
Last updated: 2024-05-02T19:08:55.000Z
[**The language of addiction and how it affects treatment outcomes**](https://www.wvpublic.org/podcast/west-virginia-morning/2017-05-10/trump-adminstration-officials-visit-capitol#stream/0)
Laura Lander and I talk with Jesse Wright about addiction and how important accurate news coverage is to reducing stigma associated with the current opioid crisis, starting at the 6:35 mark.
🔊***8min listen***