Chippewa County Authorizes Over $138,000 in Opioid Settlement Funds to Expand Addiction Support Services

Sault Ste. Marie, MI — At their December 2025 Board of Commissioners meeting, Chippewa County has approved the allocation of opioid settlement funds to support critical addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services throughout the community. The funding will strengthen case management, outreach, education, and reentry support for individuals and families impacted by opioid addiction. 

In spring 2025, the Board of Commissioners established an Opioid Settlement Fund Steering Committee, composed of Chippewa County volunteer residents from various backgrounds, who had worked hard vetting various applications for funding.

As part of the 2026 funding round recommended by the Opioid Settlement Steering Committee, the County authorized the following awards:

• $45,000 to provide funding toward a case manager position at the West Bridge Apartment Complex in Sault Ste. Marie, administered by Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency, providing direct support services to individuals and families struggling with opioid addiction and related challenges.

• $45,000 to Great Lakes Recovery Centers, Inc., MyMichigan Health and the Chippewa County Jail (administered by Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office), to provide coordinated services for individuals impacted by opioid use disorder, including those needing emergency support at the hospital, and those needing support during incarceration and transition back into the community.

• $29,500 to FAN Chippewa County (Face Addiction Now) to expand community outreach and education efforts. Funding will support the distribution of medication lock boxes and naloxone, educational presentations, group meetings, and public awareness initiatives aimed at preventing overdose and reducing stigma.

• $18,500 to the Chippewa County Mental Health Court to provide specialized case management services that support individuals involved in the justice system who are struggling with opioid addiction.

“These investments reflect Chippewa County’s continued commitment to addressing the opioid crisis through a balanced approach that includes prevention, treatment, recovery support, and public education,” said Commissioner Knepper, who serves as chair of the Opioid Settlement Fund Steering Committee. “By partnering with local service providers, we are strengthening our community’s capacity to help individuals stabilize, recover, and rebuild their lives.”

FAN Expungement Assistance Fair Highlights Community Impact

A few examples of the community-based outreach supported through this funding are two of Face Addiction Now’s (FAN) scheduled events:

Upcoming FAN Community Events

As part of its funded outreach and education efforts, Face Addiction Now (FAN) will host the following upcoming community events:

• Expungement Assistance Fair — February 13, 2026 (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

Held at Bayliss Public Library, a Superior District Library in Sault Ste. Marie, this event will help individuals understand Michigan’s expungement process and receive assistance with criminal record access and application preparation. The event is limited to 40 participants and requires pre-registration. Participants must bring $10 cash for ICHAT access. Registration information is available at bit.ly/FANExpungementFair or through the FAN Chippewa County Facebook page.

• Reentry Simulation & Community Collaboration Event — March 20, 2026 (9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

Hosted at Lake Superior State University’s @Kenneth J. Shouldice Library (LSSU Library & Academic Services), this immersive event allows participants to experience the challenges faced by individuals reentering the community after incarceration. The program also includes facilitated discussions with local agencies and partners focused on improving reentry pathways, reducing stigma, and strengthening cross-sector collaboration. Lunch will be provided. Advance registration is required by emailing ChippewaOutreach@FaceAddictionNow.org.

“Successful reentry is not just an individual responsibility — it’s a community and systems issue,” said Sabrina Neveu, FAN Community Outreach Liaison. “Through events like our Reentry Simulation and Expungement Assistance Fair, we are creating opportunities to better understand the barriers people face and work together to build stronger, more supportive reentry pathways.”

“These events are about reducing barriers and helping people move forward,” Neveu added. “Having a criminal record can limit access to employment, housing, and education. Our goal is to connect community members with accurate information and legal support in a respectful, supportive environment.”

Continued Community Investment

Opioid settlement funds originate from nationwide litigation against pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors and are dedicated to evidence-based strategies that reduce opioid-related harm and strengthen community health outcomes.

Chippewa County officials emphasized that these investments represent an ongoing commitment to collaboration with healthcare providers, law enforcement, courts, and nonprofit organizations to ensure effective, locally driven solutions to the opioid crisis.

For more information about Chippewa County’s opioid settlement funding or related programs, please contact the Chippewa County Administration Office.

Opioid settlement funds originate from nationwide litigation against pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors and are dedicated to supporting evidence-based strategies that reduce opioid-related harm and improve community health outcomes.

For more information about Chippewa County’s opioid response efforts or future funding opportunities, please contact the Chippewa County Administration Office.