PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- The City of Pierre has received the first of what will be annual payments for 18 years from a settlement of a national class-action lawsuit related to the nation’s opioid epidemic.

Pierre is turning it’s share over to Capital Area Counseling Service where psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Cassie Heuer (hue-er) says it will be used to treat those who have an opioid use disorder and to support those who are in recovery.

Heuer says helping folks overcome opioid addiction is truly a team effort.

CACS President and CEO Jennifer Gray says there’s also a public education component.

Gray says their program currently has 10-20 clients.

The settlement provides between $3,000 and $3,500 a year to the City for 18 years. Pierre recently received its first two payments for a total of about $6,600; all of it has been granted to CACS.

CACS provides services for people in Buffalo, Haakon, Hughes, Hyde, Jones, Lyman, Potter, Stanley and Sully counties.