As ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson notes, overdoses and opioid-induced deaths reached new highs over the course of the pandemic in Arkansas. Advocacy groups Speak Up About Drugs and Can You See Me Now organized a rally outside the Washington County Coroner's office in September to shed light on the epidemic.
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge along with leaders representing cities and counties announced an agreement Thursday to work together to distribute the $216 million the state received from a settlement with opioid manufactures and distributors.