NJ Towns Spent $2.3m in Opioid Funds on Cars, Concerts and Other Purchases, Report Says

At least 25 New Jersey towns spent about $2.3 million in opioid settlement money on purchases including vehicles, concerts and other local programs, according to an NJ.com investigation that is raising new questions about oversight.

New Jersey is receiving more than $1 billion from national opioid settlements, with half of the money allocated directly to counties and eligible municipalities. The funds are intended to support prevention, treatment, recovery and other strategies tied to the opioid crisis.

The investigation cited a $73,000 electric Mustang for Atlantic City police, about $148,000 for streetlight work in Camden, a $57,000 vehicle in Manchester and more than $600,000 for two opioid-awareness concerts in Irvington. Officials in the towns offered different explanations for how the spending related to addiction response.

The New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller separately found that Irvington misspent more than $632,000 on its 2023 and 2024 concerts without consulting public-health experts, community groups or residents directly affected by addiction.

Assemblyman Cody Miller said he plans to draft legislation aimed at tighter oversight and transparency. The investigation also found that more than $53 million remained unused in municipal accounts as of June 2025, leaving both spending decisions and unspent funds under scrutiny.