# Nebraska Counties Allocate Opioid Funds for Law Enforcement Tools

Several Nebraska counties and cities have allocated opioid settlement funds, originally intended for opioid crisis abatement and treatment programs, toward law enforcement equipment such as Flock Safety automatic license plate reader cameras, K-9 units, and SWAT training. This spending approach has raised concerns among public health experts and advisory committee members about alignment with the settlement agreements' intended use. The funds derive from national opioid litigation settlements distributed to states and local governments with limited oversight, creating potential risks for misaligned expenditures that may affect future funding allocations and program effectiveness.

- Procurement professionals should note that opioid settlement funds in Nebraska are being used for law enforcement technology acquisitions, including contracts valued at approximately $15,000 for Flock Safety cameras in Harlan County and $27,000 for nine cameras in Valley County.
- This indicates a procurement trend where local agencies prioritize public safety tools over direct treatment services, which may influence future funding guidelines or oversight mechanisms.
- Vendors specializing in law enforcement technology, such as Flock Safety, may find emerging opportunities in counties utilizing opioid funds for security enhancements.
- Agencies and contractors should carefully evaluate the allowable uses of opioid settlement funds to ensure compliance with state advisory committee recommendations and settlement terms.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Public Safety
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
- Nebraska Opioid Remediation Advisory Committee
- Nebraska State Patrol
- Douglas County

### Vendors
- Flock Safety (prime contractor)

### Key Quotes
> Looking at these funds which were literally paid for with the deaths of millions of people as a source of funding for a department to go and buy whatever they need, it’s irresponsible. It’s frustrating.
> — Tyler Varisco, Director, University of Texas Pharmacy Addictions Research & Medicine Program

> It’s money that’s designed to make sure that this never happens again and that we can provide desperately needed services to people who are directly impacted by the opioid crisis today.
> — Brandon Marshall, Professor of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health

### Sources
- [Nebraska counties got money meant to combat the opioid crisis. Some are spending it on Flock cameras and other police tools. - Flatwater Free Press](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/nebraska-law-enforcement-agencies-using-opioid-settlement-money-on-surveillance-technology-tools) - Flatwater Free Press