BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County has received over $350,000 from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS) for opioid settlement funding.

The funds, which will pas through to the Community Services Department, were approved through a resolution and budget modification by legislators during the Dec. 11 services committee meeting.

"The Opioid Settlement Funding is designed to create a lasting impact and emphasis on supporting agencies, programs and organizations that demonstrate a commitment to serving individuals and families affected by the opioid epidemic," legislators said.

The Community Services Board approved using OASAS settlement funding for new and existing pass-through agencies "for harm reduction, treatment, housing, prevention and transportation."

Officials say the Opioid Settlement State Funding will follow the calendar year and can be rolled over to subsequent years, if needed.

The budget modification for $356,000 will increase appropriations $150,000 for SEACAP OSF payments, $56,000 for Public Health OSF payments and $150,000 for MILC OSF payments.

Legislators also approved a budget modification to accept $29,549 for the Community Services Department for funding received from the state Office of Mental Health.

Those funds are 100% pass through funds for contract agencies and Community Services, officials say.

The funds will increase appropriations $2,800 for the CRV NCTLS Advances account and $26,749 for the OFS United Helpers Advances account.