The Erie County Opiate Epidemic Task Force laid out its plan for the $63 million settlement it is set to receive by 2038.
The funding is given out on a priority list, first going to retain positions created through an opioid grant set to run out soon. The county will then open new positions within the Health, Social Services and Probation departments, aimed at helping those affected by opioid use.
The money will also go toward external partners with the county.
The county is opening requests for proposals to give other agencies the chance to get money from the settlement.
County health officials say they do not plan on spending all the money they get right away.
"The opioid crisis today does not look like what it was three years ago,” Brian Bray, special assistant to the commissioner, ECDSS, said. “It might look completely different three years from now, so we want to make sure we have funds necessary to address the change in the epidemic going forward."
Recently, the county launched a program to give bars and restaurants narcan kits and informational material on the dangers of opioids.