Two town hall meetings are planned later this month to give residents an opportunity to discuss what kinds of services Lexington needs to do a better job fighting the opioid epidemic.
The meetings are sponsored by the Opioid Abatement Commission, a group Mayor Linda Gorton appointed to make recommendations on how to use funds from the National Opioid Litigation settlement.
The town hall meetings are set for 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22, at the Lexington Senior Center, 195 Life Lane (behind Southland Christian Church on Richmond Road), and 6 – 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 29, at Consolidated Baptist Church, 1625 Russell Cave Road.
The Commission will make recommendations concerning funds coming to Lexington from drug companies that helped fuel the epidemic. Like many cities and states, Lexington joined a lawsuit with multiple defendants that has resulted in an agreement that will provide resources – so far, Lexington has received $3.4 million. Some defendants have settled; others have declared bankruptcy. The litigation is ongoing.
The town hall meetings will give residents an opportunity to weigh in on how they think the money should be used.
“We want to identify gaps in service and set up a sustainable plan that will serve residents well today and into the future,” Gorton said. “We need to find solutions that will work in our community.”
