Dearborn approves $230,000 opioid‑settlement contribution to Access Recovery Center

The Dearborn City Council on Jan. 27 authorized a $230,000 appropriation from the city’s opioid‑settlement fund to Access Recovery Center to support completion of a regional behavioral‑health facility. "A $230,000 contribution from the city will allow the project to reach its funding goal and open sooner," the clerk said during item presentation.

Lina Harani Harajli, chief operating officer of Access, thanked the city and described the facility's services, saying the project had grown from $25 million to $30 million during construction. "We're really looking forward to providing hope and healing, at a greater scale once it's open, hopefully, this summer or fall," Harajli said. Council members and administration praised the project as a needed regional resource and requested a council tour of the site.

Administration and council described the use of opioid‑settlement funds as permissible for supporting withdrawal management, crisis stabilization and evidence‑based treatment services. Finance staff will process the appropriation as authorized; council recorded the unanimous roll call attachment.