LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, announced the formation of a dedicated advisory board tasked with overseeing the distribution of funds from a landmark opioid settlement. The mayor’s office said the board represents a “significant step to ensuring the funds are allocated wisely and effectively to address the opioid crisis,” in the city.

What You Need To Know

  • Mayor Craig Greenberg announced the members of a newly formed Opioid Settlement Distribution Advisory Board 

  • The board is charged with dispersing funds the city receives from a settlement with companies that manufactured and distributed opioid painkillers. Those companies include CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Teva and Allergan

  • Louisville will receive over $57 million in direct payments . The funds will be received over the 18-year lifetime of the agreement

  • In July, Greenberg announced the first portion of funding will bolster harm reduction efforts in the city

“The opioid epidemic has ravaged communities, families and individuals, causing widespread devastation and loss,” said Greenberg. “The settlement funds represent an opportunity to provide much-needed resources to immediately save lives, support prevention, treatment, recovery and other critical initiatives aimed at alleviating the opioid crisis,” in the city.

Greenberg said appointing the board was a move to ensure “transparent, equitable and impactful distribution” of the funds.

The members of the mayor’s newly formed Opioid Settlement Distribution Advisory Board:

  • Connie Mendel, the city’s interim chief health strategist 
  • Dr. Inder Singal, the city’s interim medical director
  • Nicole George, the deputy mayor of public health and services
  • Philip Baker, Metro Council District 6, representing Louisville Metro Council
  • Dr. Maryia Leyderman, licensed clinical forensic psychologist and executive administrator-chief psychologist at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections
  • Lee Zimmerman, CEO of KidzClub
  • Adria Johnson, president and CEO of Metro United Way
  • Mariana Barzun, executive director, Mayor’s Office of Philanthropy
  • Barry Allen, president and treasurer of the Gheens Foundation

The mayor said the board will be charged with reviewing grant applications, dispersing the funds and ensuring transparency, among other responsibilities.

Louisville was one of thousands of local governments across the nation receiving settlements from companies that manufactured and distributed opioid painkillers. Those companies include CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Teva and Allergan.

Jefferson County will receive over $57 million in direct payments from the settlement. Payments began in 2022 and will continue during the 18-year lifetime of the settlement. In July, Greenberg announced the first approximately $2 million would bolster harm reduction efforts. 

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