Opioid settlement funds used for K-9s, admin
A Minnesota Reformer analysis details how cities and counties spent opioid settlement dollars in 2024, including Hennepin County’s administrative hires and medical examiner costs and Minneapolis’ $500,000 grant to Turning Point. While most spending went to treatment, recovery and prevention, some counties used funds for law-enforcement K‑9 units and drug‑crime investigator salaries; overall local spending rose to more than $17 million in 2024 as settlements are set to deliver roughly $633 million to Minnesota, with 75% going directly to local governments.
📌 Key Facts
- Hennepin County will receive more than $70 million over 18 years and spent about $1.5 million on administration in 2023–24 plus nearly $1 million at the medical examiner’s office.
- Minneapolis spent $500,000 on Turning Point for culturally specific recovery services in north Minneapolis.
- Local governments spent over $17 million in 2024 (vs. $5.5M in 2023), with some counties funding K‑9 units and drug‑agent salaries.