All Indiana communities united in $507 million opioid settlement
Attorney General Todd Rokita has successfully brought together every Indiana city, town, and county to participate in a historic $507 million settlement that will bring massive relief to Hoosiers struggling with the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic.
The settlement funds will support local law enforcement efforts, drug task forces, regional treatment hubs, and early intervention and crisis support, among other important programs. Indiana is party to two settlements; one with Johnson & Johnson, which manufactured and marketed opioids, and one with the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors (Cardinal Health, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen).
The overall arrangement is part of a $26 billion agreement settling allegations of 46 states and many units of local government against the four companies. Attorney General Rokita and his team worked directly with elected members of the Indiana General Assembly and local government leaders to create a statutory structure that will efficiently distribute funding directly to local communities.
This past session, House Enrolled Act 1193 vastly improved upon a previous existing framework that featured too much state-level bureaucracy. Previously, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) would have acted as a “middleman” distributing funds to local governments. The settlement framework continues to be a 50-50 split between the state and local governments.
Thirty percent of the settlement funds with “no strings attached” is split evenly between local communities and the state. That 30 percent can be used however local communities and the state choose to use them. The other 70 percent is designated for opioid abatement efforts in local communities. State leaders decide exactly how to allocate half that amount — or 35 percent of the total. And this year’s legislation now ensures that local governments decide exactly how to allocate the other half of that total.
Investigation Lands Bedford Man Back in Jail for Methamphetamine Charges
Troopers from the Indiana State Police Bloomington District were recently advised that Timothy A. Brinegar, a 58-year-old male from Bedford, was allegedly involved in the continued use and dealing of methamphetamine while currently out of jail on a cash bond after being arrested for Dealing Methamphetamine in January of 2019. After obtaining this new information, Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) and Indiana State Police D.E.S. (Drug Enforcement Section) launched an investigation, which concluded on Tuesday, June 7th.
On Tuesday afternoon, Brinegar was pulled over for a moving violation while turning west onto US 50 without properly utilizing his turn signal which resulted in Sgt. Day conducting a traffic stop. During the encounter, Sgt. Day observed indicators of alleged criminal activity and then Bedford Police Officer Faheem Bade arrived on the scene of the traffic stop and deployed his canine, Zazu, who gave a positive alert on his truck.
Brinegar and his passenger had been asked to exit the vehicle to search the truck when Major Crane observed a baggie of methamphetamine on the ground next to Brinegar, who had tried to discard it. Brinegar was also found to have a second baggie of methamphetamine in his pants pocket. A search of the truck revealed hypodermic syringes, digital scales with methamphetamine residue, and three firearms. There was a loaded .380 handgun in the cab of the truck, along with an unloaded .12-gauge shotgun. An unloaded .22 Magnum revolver was in the toolbox of the truck.
Brinegar was arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Jail for Possession of Methamphetamine with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, Obstruction of Justice, and Possession of a Handgun without a permit.
***All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Employers seeking Hoosier talent
Looking for a job or new career altogether? Visit Hoosier Talent Network – a different type of job search tool that provides recommendations based on your individual skills and career potential not just your education and experience. Employers continue to look for talent in Indiana, and they are posting new job opportunities that you may want to check out today!
Please note that in order to get the most out of the Hoosier Talent Network platform – like creating a profile, creating/uploading a resume, and getting job notifications sent to your inbox – you will need to create an Access Indiana Account first. Access Indiana is the State of Indiana’s Single Sign-On Portal where you can conduct business with ease and security.
When you select “Create Profile”, “Sign Up”, or “Sign In”, you will be redirected to the following screen to begin your journey with Access Indiana and Hoosier Talent Network.
This Week in Hoosier History
1912 – Members of the Women’s Franchise League took an automobile tour of Hamilton County. Yellow streamers reading “Votes for Women” waved as the members distributed flyers and made speeches in Nora, Carmel, Westfield, and Noblesville, where children decorated the car in pink and white peonies, roses, and lilacs. The Indianapolis Star reported that the women returned home “tired, triumphant, dusty, and delighted.”
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