LAFAYETTE, La. — Standing alongside law enforcement leaders from across Lafayette Parish, Lafayette Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet recently announced a targeted investment of opioid settlement funding that puts resources directly where the crisis is being fought every day—on the ground, in local communities.
"Getting these funds in from the state, and then being able to support our police departments and our law enforcement agencies again, including the marshal...gives us the opportunity to really put some of that money on the street, activate it...get it in the hands of those people who are fighting some of the most extreme situations," Boulet said.
Through Parish Ordinance No. 010-2026, Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) has allocated $350,000 in opioid settlement funds, providing $50,000 to each municipal police department and the Lafayette City Marshal’s Office to strengthen public safety response efforts at the local level.
The announcement comes at a critical moment. While Lafayette Parish has made measurable progress, the opioid crisis continues to impact families across the region and remains a significant public safety and public health challenge. In 2024, 50 of the 67 drug-involved deaths in the parish involved opioids, most commonly fentanyl. At the same time, drug-involved deaths have declined by 55% since 2021—a sign that ongoing efforts are making a difference, but that the work is far from over, according to an LCG spokesperson.
Data also shows the impact is deeply local. Between January 2024 and July 2025, 130 opioid-related deaths were recorded parishwide, with 32 occurring within Duson alone, highlighting the need for community-based solutions tailored to where the need is greatest.
Local law enforcement agencies are often the first to respond in overdose situations and moments of crisis, serving not only as frontline public safety responders but also as critical connectors to care and support. “This funding ensures our agencies have the tools to respond quickly, prevent overdoses, and connect people to the help they need,” Boulet added.
Officials emphasized that enforcement is only one part of a broader, coordinated strategy. Lafayette Parish continues to invest in prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts while strengthening the parish’s overall public safety infrastructure and reducing strain on emergency services.
To date, Lafayette Parish has received more than $6.1 million in opioid settlement funding, with over $4.2 million already allocated toward programs and partnerships addressing the crisis. This latest investment reflects a continued commitment to deploying those funds strategically, focused on measurable impact, strengthening public safety, and saving lives.
“Every one of these numbers represents a person—a family, a neighbor, a life,” Boulet said. “We are making progress, but we cannot let up now.”
Local leaders in attendance included Duson Police Chief Kip Judice, Lafayette Police Chief Paul Trouard, Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas, Broussard Police Chief Vance Olivier, Carencro Police Chief David Anderson, Scott Police Chief Chad Leger, and Youngsville Police Chief Jean-Paul Broussard. The Mayor-President also extended appreciation to Duson Mayor Johnny Thibodeaux and the Town of Duson for hosting the press conference at the Duson Community Center.
