The Berrien County Health Department is partnering with Sacred Heart Rehab Center and First Church of God to address the community’s opioid abuse.

It’s part of the county’s national opioid settlement payment. Berrien County saw a 115% increase in opioid-related deaths between 2019 and 2022.

The county will be receiving approximately $8.6 million in the national opioid settlement with pharmaceutical distributors, manufacturers and retailers over the next 15 years.

The money will be used to help prevent substance abuse disorders, reduce opioid deaths and assist individuals in recovery throughout the county.

Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Center and First Church of God will receive funding over three years to develop, implement, enhance or expand programming to help address opioid prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery.