Dear Friends of Gilly's House, I encourage you to take a few moments to watch the two short investigative news segments below. Mother of Steven "Gilly" Gillmeister Barbara Gillmeister, recently worked alongside Mike Beaudet of WCVB Channel 5 Investigates and his Investigative Reporting students at Northeastern University to examine an important question: What has happened to the Massachusetts opioid settlement funds?
The investigation uncovered that while every city and town in Massachusetts has received opioid settlement funding over the past three years—and will continue receiving these funds for the next 12 years (15 years in total)—many communities have yet to put these dollars to work helping those impacted by addiction and recovery. These funds were intended to support prevention, treatment, recovery, education, and services for individuals and families affected by the opioid epidemic. Yet, in many communities, the money simply remains untouched or used inappropriately. Money sitting in a bank account does not save lives.
Now is the time for all of us to ask questions. We encourage you to contact your Town Administrator, Mayor, Town Council, or Select Board and ask:
- How much opioid settlement funding has our community received?
- How has that money been spent over the past three years?
- What plans are in place to use future funds to support recovery, prevention, education, and families affected by addiction?
Communities across Massachusetts have an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Together, we can help ensure these funds are used for the purpose they were intended—to bring hope, healing, recovery, and lives restored.
Thank you to Mike Beaudet, the talented investigative reporting students at Northeastern University, and to Barbara Gillmeister for helping shine a light on this critically important issue.
Please watch the two videos below, share them with your family and friends, and consider making one phone call to your local officials. Advocacy starts with awareness, and awareness saves lives.
Thank you for standing with Gilly's House as we continue our mission of bringing hope, healing, and recovery to our community.
With gratitude, Maureen Cappuccino House Administrator
click here to view both Channel 5 segments that aired 7/22/26 & 7/23/26:
https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-communities-spent-opioid-settlement-money/73221157?fbclid=IwVERTSATOSu9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR4Qiiq9l5y1zBO9NQvu0rFlhrLcPnXgxtJQYSQ6LjXu5CEvmjgEqyIa-IVa6g_aem_8QkuRee4R977C_vI6kMHcg&sfnsn=mo
https://www.wcvb.com/article/mass-senator-fed-up-with-lack-of-opioid-settlement-fund-spending/73250391
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