Earlier this month the US Supreme Court paused a $6 billion settlement with the Sackler family, members of which own the opioid maker Purdue Pharma.
The settlement would protect the Sacklers from future opioid-related civil claims.
Critics say that would let the Sacklers off too easily for their role in a deadly nationwide addiction crisis.
Supporters of the deal say it would help fund urgently-needed addiction and recovery programs in communities across the country.
Amy Dolinky is with the Michigan Association of Counties. WMUK asked her if the pause was a "good" or "negative" development.
"I think it's always disappointing when we, when we don't see funds made available to local communities," she responded.
"We know that the state and the local governments are receiving these funds because of the alleged harm caused to the communities, not to the governments themselves. And so we know that we've been in this crisis for a long time, the drug overdose crisis," she added.
"And I think it's always important for us to really recognize why these funds are coming. And, you know, the longer that governments have to wait to access these funds, the more they're unable to help those most profoundly impacted by the crisis."
Michigan is set to receive $800 million from other opioid lawsuit settlements. Kalamazoo County is one of the many local units that are still on track to receive part of that payout.
Kalamazoo County Deputy Administrator Lyndi Smith declined to comment on the Supreme Court’s Purdue Pharma decision.
“We're just focusing in on the eight settlements that we have so far and getting that plan in place for our community so we can move forward,” Smith said.
She added that the county plans to post a community survey soon to help determine how best to spend the money.
The Supreme Court plans to hear the challenge to the Purdue Pharma settlement in December.
Michael Symonds reports for WMUK through the Report for America national service program.
