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Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is dispensing more than $8.8 million to Indiana cities, towns and counties in the next round of opioid settlement funds distributed under his leadership.

Attorney General Rokita and his team secured these settlements from companies that allegedly contributed to the state’s opioid epidemic through irresponsible and/or unlawful actions.

“Hoosiers have seen far too many of our loved ones suffer and even die from opioid addiction and overdose,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Misconduct by drug companies helped start this epidemic in the first place, and it has played a large role in perpetuating the crisis. We can’t bring back lost lives, but we can hold these companies accountable and enable communities to use settlement funds on prevention, treatment and enforcement programs.”

In total, Attorney General Rokita has reached settlements worth more than $925 million with companies involved in some aspects of making, selling, distributing or advertising opioids.

This round of distributions includes a one-time payment representing communities’ share of a settlement with Publicis Health to resolve investigations into the global marketing and communications firm’s role in the prescription opioid crisis. Publicis helped Purdue Pharma and other opioid manufacturers market and sell opioids.

In addition, this round of payments includes settlement funds from two distributors — AmerisourceBergen (now known as Cencora) and Cardinal Health. Additional distribution payments are expected in the fall of 2024 from AmerisourceBergen (now known as Cencora), Cardinal Health, McKesson, Teva, Janssen, CVS, and Allergan.

Besides the tragic personal toll on families, the opioid crisis has imposed significant costs on Indiana’s health care, child welfare, and criminal justice systems.

Local governments have discretion in choosing exactly how to use the opioid funds. Guidelines can be found on Attorney General Rokita’s website.

The settlement framework continues to be a 50-50 split between the state and local governments. A listing of the payments estimated for each community for the full 18 years can be found on the Office of Attorney General website.

Following months of campus protests sometimes featuring troubling anti-Jewish propaganda, Attorney General Todd Rokita warned college officials they are duty-bound to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by combating all forms of antisemitism on their campuses — or risk losing their federal funding.

"My team and I are deeply committed to ending antisemitism in all forms,” Attorney General Rokita wrote in a letter to college officials. “Some Indiana colleges and universities boast large populations of Jewish students. If these students face antisemitism on campus without corrective measures, they may bring an action under Title VI against your university by alleging a hostile environment or retaliation.”

Violent and disruptive protests have rocked campuses coast to coast following last year’s deadly attack on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas. Although the 2023-24 academic year is wrapping up, the potential persists for continued campus protests — and continued antisemitic agitation.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on “race, color, and national origin” in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Indiana state-run higher educational institutions receive federal funding and are therefore subject to Title VI.

Attorney General Rokita also reminded college officials they must ensure that student groups do not materially support foreign terrorist organizations. House Enrolled Act 1179, which takes effect July 1, 2024, requires state educational institutions to adopt policies to prohibit providing funds or other resources to foreign terrorist organizations or state sponsors of terror.

Those who would incite violence or commit criminal acts may not hide behind the First Amendment to avoid culpability, Attorney General Rokita added.

“Protecting our Jewish students requires accountability on the university’s part. I strongly encourage them to enforce university codes of conduct and the law when necessary to put an end to antisemitism and the promotion of terrorism on your campuses,” Attorney General Rokita said. “That way we can ensure that all students, including our Jewish brothers and sisters, are safe and have an equal access to education.”

By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

Officials have taken the first step that could allow a section of Crown Hill Cemetery to be set aside for natural burials. The decision was made during the Monday, May 13, meeting of the Salem Common Council.

Brock and Carrie Chastain, of Weathers Funeral Home, requested the changes necessary to allow natural burials. Those changes include the elimination of the requirement for a vault.

Natural burials – commonly called “green” burials – provide simpler, less costly, and more environmentally friendly burials that avoid harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde, which is a suspected human carcinogen.
The Chastains explained that natural burials became more popular during the pandemic as people embraced simplicity. They prefer to call such burials “natural” since it would allow the use of a backhoe to dig the grave.

Carrie Chastain is becoming certified in natural burials. She said the process eliminates traditional embalming, although some customers could opt for environmentally friendly embalming, which uses essential oils. Either biodegradable caskets or shrouds are used, as well as markers that are either flat or made of natural materials. Cemeteries that accommodate such burials aren’t mowed as frequently and can include wildflower plantings.
Most cemeteries, including Crown Hill, require vaults, which is contrary to the notion of biodegradable materials.

The Chastains explained that domes can be used instead of vaults, which allow the burial to naturally biodegrade and seep into the ground. A concrete burial box can also be used.

Brock Chastain said the portion of Crown Hill Cemetery near the ponds would be ideal for natural burials. He estimated the section could include 50 plots to start.

Mayor Justin Green noted that the cemetery has space to expand.

“I think it’s an interesting concept, Council,” Green said.

Council member Dylan Moore made a motion to have the city’s attorney prepare an ordinance that would accommodate natural burials. His motion was supported by a unanimous vote, with all Council members in attendance.

By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

Salem officials have approved an agreement that would allow the merger of the city’s dispatch department with the county’s 911 center.The unanimous vote was held during the Monday, May 13, meeting of the Salem Common Council. All members were in attendance.

Mayor Justin Green explained that weeks’ worth of talks with county officials led to the drafting of an interlocal agreement that details the merger.

Green said the city’s dispatchers have never directly received 911 calls: all those calls are routed through the county’s dispatchers and are forwarded to city dispatchers.

The change will not result in any loss of jobs, Green said. The city’s current dispatchers will have the option of transferring to the county. Green said both the city and county departments struggle to find adequate staffing: it is hoped the merger will alleviate that problem.

“This proposal makes sense in a lot of ways,” Green said, adding that a combined city-county dispatch is not unique to Salem and Washington County.
The interlocal agreement that details the merger offers both parties the opportunity to opt out with a 90-day notification. The agreement has a term of five years.

Following a motion to approve the interlocal agreement by Council member Dylan Moore, a unanimous vote in favor of the merger was cast.

Green said the Washington County Commissioners have agreed to the draft ordinance and are expected to discuss – and possibly approve it – during the Tuesday, May 21, meeting.

In other business:

*An additional appropriation of $33,000 was approved to pay for overtime for the Salem Police Department. Clerk-Treasurer Sally Hattabaugh said that should cover any overtime that occurs through the end of the year. It was noted that staffing shortages have caused the overtime, and it is hoped the addition of two new officers will help to alleviate scheduling issues.

*Hounds Way was added to the city’s street inventory.

*Salem Police Chief Eric Mills introduced the city’s newest officers, James McAfee and Owen Bowers. The new officers are currently in training and will be doing ride-alongs with more seasoned officers during the next several weeks.

*The Brick Street Festival", which will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 8, was approved. A portion of East Market Street – from 301 to 304 – will be closed from 4 to 8 p.m. to allow vendors to set up.

In honor of National Foster Care Month— Representative Erin Houchin (R-IN), Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) reintroduced the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act to remove barriers to higher education for homeless and foster youth and help ensure they can pursue a higher education and get the support they need to thrive.

“Every child in America deserves access to a good education, and that doesn’t have to stop with high school. For students overcoming obstacles like homelessness or foster care, the chance to pursue higher education can be the difference maker in finally breaking the cycle of poverty,” stated Congresswoman Erin Houchin. “As a former child services worker, I am proud to sponsor the bipartisan Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act, and I call upon Congress to pass this important legislation. As homelessness reaches a record high, this is America’s opportunity to contend on behalf of kids who have shown resilience in the face of adversity.”

“A higher education should be within reach for every student—but the barriers for homeless and foster youth can be especially high, and it’s critical we get these students the support they need to help make their dreams of going to college a reality,” said Senator Murray. “As the homelessness crisis worsens—with more students and young people struggling without stable housing and support—our legislation will remove barriers and help provide more stability for homeless and foster youth, so they can pursue a higher education and thrive. This bipartisan bill takes common sense steps to support some of our most vulnerable students, and I will keep pushing alongside my colleagues to get it signed into law.”

“I am proud to introduce this essential legislation in the House, which will even the playing field for homeless and foster youth seeking higher education and ensure that these youth are supported once enrolled,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “We know that education is key to success, stability, and financial security, making it all the more important for homeless and foster youth to have both access to higher education and the resources they need to succeed. As a Representative of Los Angeles County—home to over 30,000 foster youth—I will always champion our most vulnerable young people through my work in Congress. I would like to thank my colleagues Rep. Houchin, Senator Murray, and Senator Braun for their tireless work on behalf of our nation’s homeless and foster youth.”

In 2023, the number of families staying in homeless shelters and those who were visibly unsheltered increased by 16%, and homelessness nationwide jumped to a record level. More than 1.2 million students in public schools across the country are experiencing homelessness.

The Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2024 requires colleges and universities to take steps to improve outreach to and support for homeless and foster youth, prioritizes homeless and foster youth for Federal Work Study opportunities, provides in-state tuition rates for students who haven’t had stable residency, and improves data collection and reporting to better reach and serve homeless and foster youth—among other steps. Prior versions of the legislation proposed a number of critical improvements to the financial aid process for homeless and foster youth, which were subsequently enacted into law as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act that Senator Murray co-authored.

The legislation is endorsed by: Alliance for Positive Youth Development; Association of Children’s Residential & Community Services (ACRC); Boys Town; Building Changes, Washington; Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); Center for the Study of Social Policy; Child Welfare League of America; Children’s Advocacy Institute; Children’s Defense Fund; Coalition on Human Needs; Congressional Research Institute for Social Work Policy; Covenant House International; Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption; Family Centered Treatment Foundation; The Family Focused Treatment Association; Family Promise; First Focus Campaign for Children; First Star Institute; iFoster; Foster Care Alumni of America; FosterClub; Foster Success; Higher Learning Advocates; The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice; John Burton Advocates for Youth; Juvenile Law Center; Lutheran Services in America; Mockingbird Society; National Association of Counsel for Children; National Center of Child Welfare and Housing; National Center on Adoption and Permanency; National Coalition for the Homeless; National Crittenton; National Education Association; National Foster Youth Institute; National Health Care for the Homeless Council; National Network for Youth; SchoolHouse Connection; Think of Us; Youth Guidance; Youth Law Center; and Youth Villages.