Sparta Police to use $250K opioid settlement funds for new officer trained in addiction recovery support

SPARTA, Wis. (WKBT) -- Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul visited Sparta Police Thursday to celebrate new resources to fight the opioid crisis.

The state is receiving about $750 million through 2038 due to a multi-state settlement with opioid manufacturers.

Sparta police is getting a $250,000 grant from initial settlement payments.

The department will use its grant to hire an officer dedicated to substance use responses.

That officer will train with the local nonprofit Next Steps for Change, which organizes peer support substance recovery services.

Officials say adding more peer support services can help reduce the cycle of addiction.

"Many times, it takes people multiple times to get people into recovery programs for them to be able to maintain their own long-term recovery. So, for that, the opportunity for peer support is significantly less in terms of dollar amounts than putting someone into 30-day treatment programs," said Natalie Morescki, the founder and executive director of Next Steps for Change.

"If we can step in with resources, we may prevent that next fatal use," said Sparta Police Chief Emily Nottestad.

Morescki said in the last year, her organization has helped over 200 people with substance abuse issues in Monroe County. She said peer support works best because it fosters connections to help people overcome powerful addictions.

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