New Jersey lawmakers diverted $45 million in opioid settlement funds away from communities and into hospital systems without public input or transparency.

This money was paid by drug manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies that fueled the opioid crisis. It was meant to support harm reduction, treatment, recovery, housing, and other frontline programs that serve people most impacted.

Instead, these funds were redirected to four hospital systems with billion dollar budgets, taking resources away from community based services that save lives every day.

This diversion undermines public trust and goes against the purpose of opioid settlement funds, which are intended to address the harms caused by the crisis.

New Jersey must restore the full $45 million, ensure transparency in how these funds are spent, and establish protections so this never happens again.