HILO, Hawaii — Hawaii Island Mayor Mitch Roth formally committed Monday to support the work of the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force and its fiscal sponsor, the Big Island Substance Abuse Council.

What You Need To Know

  • Over two years, a $478,400 investment available through a partnership between the County of Hawaii and the Hawaii State Department of Health will address the growing opioid crisis on the island

  • Funding was made possible through the State of Hawaii’s share of the National Opioid Settlement Funds that come from settlements reached with various pharmaceutical companies and distributors held responsible for their role in the opioid epidemic

Over two years, a $478,400 investment available through a partnership between the County of Hawaii and the Hawaii State Department of Health will address the growing opioid crisis on the island, according to a county news release.

“We’re proud to support community advocates and healthcare organizations across the island in addressing the opioid crisis by directing our share of opioid settlement funds to the Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force and BISAC,” Roth said in the release. “By backing the task force and BISAC, we ensure that essential resources are available for education, prevention, treatment, and harm reduction efforts, thereby strengthening our community’s resilience.”

Funding was made possible through the State of Hawaii’s share of the National Opioid Settlement Funds that come from settlements reached with various pharmaceutical companies and distributors held responsible for their role in the opioid epidemic.

The DOH allocated a portion of these funds to Hawaii County to support local initiatives.

“We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support from the county and the state,” said Dr. Hannah Preston-Pita, co-lead of the task force and CEO of BISAC. “These funds will allow us to significantly expand our efforts to combat the opioid crisis and create a safer, healthier Hawaii Island for all.”

The Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force is a collaboration between multiple sectors dedicated to reducing overdose deaths and the negative impact of fentanyl on the island.

The nonprofit Big Island Substance Abuse Council is a leading substance abuse treatment provider offering programs and therapies to individuals affected by substance abuse and addiction.