AG: Lynn to get $79K in OxyContin settlement

LYNN-Attorney General Martha Coakley has allocated funding for crucial substance abuse programs to 10 local communities, including roughly $79,000 for Lynn.Coakley said funding for the grants stem from a settlement with Purdue Pharma, the maker of the narcotic drug OxyContin in a multi-state investigation concerning marketing of the pain medicine.A total of $19.5 million was awarded to the 26 participating states.?The grant funding we have awarded will enable these organizations to implement effective, research-based strategies to educate youth and communities on the risks associated with the use and abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs,” she said.State Rep. Steven Walsh, a Lynn Democrat who created the state OxyContin Commission in an effort to control widespread use of the drug, said he is pleased with the funding allocation.?We are thrilled that the AG has recognized the work that we are doing for the young people in Lynn,” he said. “This funding will basically allow us to continue the work, and this is certainly an acknowledgement of the work that has already been done.”Settlement funds will be targeted toward programs that combat prescription drug abuse and addiction, education, outreach, prevention, and monitoring programs.The 10 municipalities and towns that have been selected to receive funding include: Dukes County, Martha?s Vineyard; Greenfield; Gloucester; Lawrence; Lynn; North Adams; Reading; Somerville; Stoughton and Worcester.Project Cope Executive Director Mark Kennard said the funding would be specifically used to target underage alcohol abuse.?Programs like the sticker shock campaign, the underage sting operation with the Lynn Police and the overall targeting of every retail liquor outlet four times a year will benefit from the funds,” he said. “The funds will really add to what we are already doing.”Wendy Kent of Project Cope wrote the grant in November, and said while the funding was originally geared toward opiate abuse, underage drinking was thought to be more beneficial.?We opted to use a model that is geared toward reducing youth?s access to alcohol and underage drinking,” she said. “We want to raise both parents and the communities awareness to alcohol abuse and build up partnerships that will last after the year long grant runs out.”Kennard said he is pleased to be able to use the funds to target a prevalent problem among youths in the city.?I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that we?re positioned so well and that there is already a collaboration in place,” he said.Coakley said the grants would complement other agencies in the state that work to implement the Department of Public Health?s Strategic Plan, the Governor?s Inter-Agency Task group on substance use and abuse efforts by the Massachusetts Department of Education.Grant proportions were determined based upon geographic and economic factors. Funds will be distributed in January.