The opioid crisis disproportionately impacts Black Ohioans — so why aren’t more of them on the board dispersing settlement funds?

The opioid crisis disproportionately impacts Black Ohioans — so why aren’t more of them on the board dispersing settlement funds? By: Ngozi Cole | WYSO Posted on: Thursday, September 26, 2024 < < Back to COLUMBUS, Ohio (WYSO) — Over the course of 18 years, Ohio and its communities are receiving nearly $2 billion from pharmaceutical companies to compensate for harm caused by opioids. The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is charged with distributing 55% of those funds. But its board lacks racial diversity and that’s caused concern among families and harm reduction groups. Families and caregivers affected by opioids At 52 years old, Columbus librarian Yaya Lumpkin never imagined she would be the primary caregiver for two of her grandchildren. But her daughter is one of tens of thousands of Ohioans struggling with an opioid addiction, so their care has fallen to her. Now, she’s hopeful that a fraction of the billions of dollars Ohio is receiving in opioid settlement funds will make its way to Black caregivers like her. “You’re dealing with a lot of older grandparents. A lot of us are 50 and over,” Lumpkin said. “And I get that they want to make sure the money is being...