Attorney General Report on Opioid Settlement Spending Expected This Spring as West Michigan Communities Still Hold Millions Unspent

Attorney General Report on Opioid Settlement Spending Expected This Spring as West Michigan Communities Still Hold Millions Unspent

By West Michigan State News

More than three years after Michigan communities began receiving millions of dollars to fight the opioid epidemic, a comprehensive report from the Attorney General's office is expected this spring to reveal how much settlement money has been spent — and how much remains in bank accounts across West Michigan and the rest of the state.

Michigan is set to receive at least $1.6 billion over 18 years from a national lawsuit settlement with drug manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies that were deemed partly responsible for the opioid crisis. The state receives half that money, with the rest split between counties, townships and cities throughout Michigan.

The funds began arriving in January 2023, but experts say the spending pace has been frustratingly slow in many communities.

"If there was some deliberative process that took three years, that's too long," said Jonathan Stoltman of the Grand Rapids-based Opioid Policy Institute. "Money needs to get out the door."

West Michigan Counties Still Waiting to Spend

A 2024 investigation by Bridge Michigan provided the first statewide accounting of how communities were handling opioid settlement funds. That investigation found that more than 40 percent of communities had not spent any funds, with about $90 million sitting in bank accounts.

A similar survey conducted in the spring of 2025 by the Michigan Association of Counties found that 40 percent of the 36 counties that responded had yet to open their checkbooks. That was an improvement from 2024, when a similar survey found 51 percent hadn't spent money.

Several West Michigan counties are among those yet to distribute funds:

Grand Traverse County — Located near Traverse City, Grand Traverse County has about $2 million from the settlement in the bank and is expected to receive $6.2 million overall. Grand Traverse County Health Officer Mike Lahey told Bridge Michigan that it has taken time to figure out how to use the one-time funds to best address the crisis.

"I think some localities, while appreciating the funds, were like, 'Now what?'" Lahey said. "It was a new source of money with new types of parameters around it."

Mason County — Expected to receive $1,911,307.15 over 18 years, Mason County officials are still in the early stages of determining how funds will be used, according to reporting by the Ludington Daily News. A county opioid steering committee formed in February is tasked with developing recommendations for spending but does not have final authority over how the money will be allocated.

Eaton County — The county, which is receiving about $300,000 annually, has developed a strategic plan and a community assessment to identify gaps in mitigation efforts. Logan Bailey, director of public and governmental affairs for the county, said in an email to Bridge Michigan that they are still in a planning stage, assessing and collecting requests for proposals.

Isabella County — With $1.1 million in settlement funds in the bank, Isabella County expects to spend its first settlement funds in 2026.

Statewide Impact

The opioid crisis continues to affect Michigan despite the settlement funds. As recently as 2023, nearly 3,000 Michiganders died from the crisis, with an estimated 80 percent of those deaths being opioid-related.

While overdose deaths declined by a third to 1,938 in 2024, the last year for which the state has complete data, the number of Michigan residents dying from drugs was still higher than the number who died in car crashes.

Despite the crisis, some local governments are only now preparing to begin disbursing funds to community groups that help those battling addiction.

Lenawee County — Bordering Ohio, Lenawee County will consider $1.25 million in proposals for its first opioid settlement spending in April, according to Community Development Coordinator Francine Zysk.

Warren — The city had $2.9 million in opioid settlement funds in the bank as of October and had not disbursed any. Mayor Lori Stone said in an October news release that there are those who are anxious to push dollars out without fully considering community needs, process, best practices or long-term impact.

Schoolcraft County — Located in the Upper Peninsula, Schoolcraft County is just now forming a committee to make spending recommendations.

What the Attorney General Report Will Show

The Michigan Department of Attorney General has asked counties, townships and cities receiving opioid settlement funds to report how they have been spent. Those findings are expected to be released this spring, according to Danny Wimmer, a spokesperson for Attorney General Dana Nessel.

The report should provide the most authoritative accounting yet of how much of the settlement funds distributed to Michigan communities since 2023 have been spent.

Ongoing Deliberation

The deliberative process has frustrated some state leaders and advocates. Settlement funds are meant to help mitigate the continued harm of the opioid crisis, but the slow pace of spending has raised questions about whether communities are taking the funds seriously enough to address the crisis.

"I think some localities, while appreciating the funds, were like, 'Now what?'" Lahey said. "It was a new source of money with new types of parameters around it."

The funds began arriving in January 2023, and while experts say the funds are beginning to make a difference, the sluggish pace of spending in some communities has frustrated some state leaders.

As the Attorney General report is expected this spring, Michigan communities will receive more clarity on how much opioid settlement money has been spent and how much remains to be allocated to help fight the ongoing opioid epidemic.

Sources

• https://www.shorelinemedia.net/ludington_daily_news/news/opioid-settlement-funds-slow-to-reach-communities-across-michigan/article_3e4866e3-b1b2-4213-aabd-aeadc7fb54cd.html
• https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2026-04-02/3-years-in-opioid-settlement-money-still-unspent-in-some-michigan-counties-including-grand-traverse
• https://apnews.com/article/michigan-opioid-settlement-funds-communities-985fd0d7e0822cbce018a16862dfef71
• https://mississippitoday.org/2026/04/01/addiction-mississippi-opioid/
• https://pressherald.com/2026/04/02/still-a-lot-of-money-sitting-there-why-some-maine-governments-arent-spending-opioid-funds