Researcher urges city to spend nearly $43,000 in opioid settlement funds on harm-reduction services

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, Dr. Jonathan Stoleman, who identified himself as director of the Opioid Policy Institute in East Grand Rapids, asked the commission to address the city’s unspent opioid settlement funds.

Stoleman said he reviewed recent state data showing East Grand Rapids has $42,871.17 in unspent opioid settlement money and urged the city to create a plan to spend the funds on programs that reduce harm and improve community health. He suggested the Grand Rapids Red Project — a local harm-reduction and recovery-services organization — as one potential recipient for naloxone distribution, peer navigators and recovery coaching. "According to recent state data, as of December 2025, EGR has $42,871.17 in unspent opioid settlement money," Stoleman said.

Commissioner Skaggs asked Dr. Stoleman to leave contact information and expressed interest in continued conversation; the mayor said he sits on a regional transit board and would tour the Red Project’s facility and invited other commissioners to join.

No formal action was taken during the meeting; staff and commissioners encouraged follow-up engagement and requested Mr. Stoleman provide details so the commission and staff can consider options in a future agenda or committee discussion.