Press Release: Opioid Steering Committee Seeking Members

The Beltrami County Board and Public Health are committed to preventing and reducing the negative impacts associated with opioid misuse, opioid use disorder and overdose deaths. To determine how to prioritize use of settlement funds, the Beltrami County Opioid Steering Committee is seeking community involvement.

This committee serves to prioritize use of settlement funds and the purpose is to advise/offer guidance on directing settlement funds across broad categories including prevention, criminal justice, treatment, recovery and harm reduction. If you have a vested interest in joining this solution-based group, you are invited to complete the application of interest. The application can be accessed on the Beltrami County website or by submitting an application to Public Health Director Amy Bowles.

Criteria to serve on the committee include living or working in Beltrami County. Applications must be received or submitted by Thursday, October 9, 2025. Those who would like to apply in writing can answer the six questions below and mail or deliver the application to:

Amy Bowles

C/O Beltrami County Public Health

616 America Ave NW, Suite 130

Bemidji, MN 56601

1. Name and contact information.

2. Do you work or reside in Beltrami County?

3. Why are you interested in being on the Beltrami County Opioid Settlement Steering Committee?

4. What skills, experience and expertise will you bring to this group?

5. How will you be an ambassador and advocate for this committee?

6. Are you able to fulfill the following obligations to remain engaged and an active member of the group:

            a. Team will meet in-person up to 6 times per year, maintaining 80% attendance to remain a member.

b. You need to have a commitment to prevent misuse, reduce harm, support criminal justice system, and identify treatment and recovery options related to the catastrophic effects the opioid epidemic has on communities for your application to be considered.