Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey announced the allocation of nearly $2.5 million to establish a resource centre to guide local governments in spending opioid settlement funds. The University of Southern Maine’s Catherine Cutler Institute will develop this centre, which will support Maine’s 39 "direct share subdivisions" as they receive approximately $66 million over the next 18 years. This initiative aims to ensure transparency and informed spending decisions, with the centre set to provide research, data, and community support at no cost.

Funding for the resource centre and the opioid settlement funds comes from settlements with various pharmaceutical companies, distributors, and retailers. Maine expects to receive around $230 million over 18 years, a figure that could increase with ongoing litigation. The funds must be used for opioid abatement, supporting evidence-based programs and services. Attorney General Frey emphasised the importance of strategic allocation to maximise the impact of these funds, stressing the need for proper planning and community engagement.

Concerns have been raised about some subdivisions' spending decisions, such as using funds for law enforcement tools like handheld drug-checking devices. Experts have questioned the efficacy and safety of these devices, advising against their use for such purposes. Despite these concerns, many local governments have allocated a portion of their funds to law enforcement, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines and oversight in spending decisions to effectively address the opioid crisis.