Judge asks for $500,000 from opioid settlement to fund Shelby County Drug Court treatment

Judge Lee Wilson and Angela Parkerson presented a request to appropriate $500,000 from the opioid settlement special revenue fund to support treatment services for Shelby County Drug Court participants.

Judge Wilson said Shelby County hosts the state's largest drug court and that roughly 40% of participants present opioid use; many require inpatient treatment of 28–45 days followed by structured living placements. "Fentanyl is more addictive and more lethal... they require more treatment," he said, describing program needs and the high cost of residential care. Parkerson provided program statistics and said 825 individuals were referred to the program (2022–2025), with 536 identified as high-risk/high-need.

Commissioners asked for a detailed budget showing how the $500,000 would be spent and for information on sustainability and other funding sources; Parkerson said all requested funds would be used for treatment in account 6632 for professional fees, and that the drug court actively pursues state and federal grants. County finance staff said the opioid fund budget is estimated and subject to variable receipts but that current estimates and carryforward amounts could cover the request. The committee forwarded the item with a favorable recommendation and asked for a program budget and impact analysis to accompany the item on Monday.