October 17th, 2025
Funds will be utilized to further combat the local opioid epidemic
County Executive Adam J. Bello announced today that Monroe County has been awarded an additional $6.5 million in opioid settlement funds as a result of two separate settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers. As with all other opioid settlement funds received by Monroe County, these dollars will be placed into a trust fund and dedicated exclusively to combating the local opioid epidemic.
“Countless families in our community have been touched in some way by the opioid crisis. These settlement dollars represent an opportunity to save lives. Monroe County is committed to using these funds to invest in proven, data-driven strategies that prevent addiction, expand access to treatment, address stigma, and support recovery,” said County Executive Bello.
The two settlements come from lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors that were found to have contributed to the national opioid epidemic, and will provide significant financial recovery for Monroe County. Through the first agreement, Monroe County will receive approximately $5.65m from Purdue Pharma L.P. Monroe County will receive approximately $914,000 as a result of the second settlement agreement from several generic pharmaceutical manufacturers.
“These settlement dollars aren’t just numbers on a page, they’re a sign of accountability and action,” said Legislature President Yversha Román. “Each settlement helps to strengthen prevention, expand access to treatment, and support recovery for our neighbors who need it most. The opioid crisis didn’t happen overnight, and neither will healing, but together, we are rebuilding hope and saving lives right here at home.”
“I am proud to have voted alongside my colleagues in the Legislature to approve the authorization of $6.5 million dollars in opioid settlement funds, said Majority Leader Michael Yudelson. “The unanimous approval reflects the Legislature’s commitment to addressing the opioid crisis head-on. These dollars will have an invaluable, lasting impact on our community and strengthen Monroe County’s ongoing efforts to protect our residents.”
“These funds are crucial to continuing our fight against the devastating impact of the opioid crisis,” said Republican Leader Steve Brew. “Every dollar must be used to save lives, support recovery, and prevent the loss and destruction this epidemic has caused across Monroe County. This is about protecting our families and strengthening our communities for the future.”
Earlier this year, the Monroe County Department of Public Health and Office of the Medical Examiner released the 2024 Monroe County Overdose Report. Data from this report shows a significant reduction in drug overdose deaths, with 292 individuals who died from drug-related overdoses in 2024 compared to 512 deaths reported in 2023, a 43% decrease year-over-year. This was the lowest total number of overdose deaths in Monroe County since 2020. Monroe County’s 43% decrease in overdose deaths surpassed the national average of 27%, highlighting the progress of critical investments made by the Bello administration to increase access to naloxone and strengthen community education about the dangers of drug use.
In 2021, County Executive Bello authored legislation to create a trust fund to ensure all dollars earmarked for the County from various opioid settlements will be used responsibly and exclusively for lifesaving efforts. Funding from these settlements will be added to this trust fund and will enable the Department of Public Health and Addiction Services to carry out several initiatives aimed at saving lives, supporting families, and treating addiction, including:
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A 24-hour hotline, connecting residents to crisis services, delivery of harm reduction supplies and family support at (585) 753-5300.
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Installation of Naloxboxes in public locations across Monroe County. To date, Addiction Services has installed more than 630 Naloxboxes, increasing access to naloxone, test strips, and other live saving tools and resources.
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Countywide street-level outreach, crisis support, customized trainings, post-overdose response, and community education. Since January 1, 2025, the Addiction Services IMPACT team has distributed nearly 34,000 naloxone kits and over 24,000 test strips.
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A “Call to Action” public education and media campaign, aimed at improving awareness of naloxone availability, reducing stigma around Substance Use Disorder, promoting the Monroe County Opioid Hotline, and more.
For more information on Monroe County Addiction Services, treatment options, naloxone, or test strips, visit www.monroecounty.gov/addiction or call (585) 753-5300 24/7.
