Disclaimer: The views I express here are my own and should NOT be construed as speaking for the City of Bangor or the City Council of Bangor.
There have been 2 meetings held so far by the Bangor Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Committee through July 9th.
June 25, 2025
The Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Committee held its initial meeting to establish its purpose and begin strategizing the transparent, fair, and equitable use of Bangor’s opioid settlement funds. A key accomplishment was the comprehensive presentation from the Maine Opioid Settlement Support (MOSS) Center, outlining their role as a resource for communities in utilizing these funds, including providing guidance on spending strategies, developing tools for planning and evaluation, and offering technical assistance.
The committee engaged in an initial discussion about urgent issues facing the community, such as supporting the homeless population with substance use disorders, addressing the recent HIV outbreak, and the need for sustainable housing and recovery support, while also considering the long-term nature and dwindling amounts of the settlement funds.
The meeting concluded with assignments for the next session, including individual members identifying their top three ideas for funding and the MOSS Center providing a community profile for Bangor, along with further information on fund projections and existing city RFP processes.
July 9, 2025
Much of this meeting was focused on the immediate and critical needs of the community. A key accomplishment was the consensus reached on addressing the current HIV outbreak, identifying a severe gap in intensive case management services for affected individuals. The committee decided to prioritize a project to fund these essential case management positions, acknowledging that this is an urgent need. A plan was set in motion for a proposal to be drafted and presented for rapid approval by the City Council, ensuring quick action on this critical issue.
Furthermore, the meeting successfully established a clear direction for the allocation of the opioid settlement funds. There was an agreement that while long-term sustainability is important, immediate needs, such as supporting existing public health programs facing federal funding cuts, must also be considered. The committee moved forward with a multi-pronged approach to funding, beginning with addressing the most pressing public health concerns, and setting the stage for future discussions on broader initiatives and a formal application process for other projects.
