Washington Township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, allegedly diverted $170,000 in opioid settlement money toward police equipment. an NJ.com investigation found these funds were intended for drug education and prevention.
The $170,000 gap between education claims and police SUVs
Local records show that $170 ,446.70 was reported to the state as being spent on narcotics and education programs for 2024 and 2025.. However, as NJ.com reported, the money was actually used to purchase two 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs and 15 Flock surveillance cameras for the local police department.
The township had specifically claimed that $134,321 was dedicated to a middle school narcotics program in 2024, with an additional $36,125 earmarked for early prevention in 2025. Instead, the report says nearly $268,000 was spent on these vehicles and cameras between November 2024 and April 2026 using funds specifically allocated for opioid remediation.
A $2.3 million pattern of misuse across New Jersey
The spending in Washington Township reflects a wider issue within the state of New Jersey. The NJ .com investigation highlighted a troubling trend where dozens of communities have burned through at least $2.3 million in opioid settlement money on items ranging from branded clothing to concerts and even a muscle car.
Washington Township, which has approximately 50,000 residents, is particularly vulnerable to this crisis. The municipality recorded some of the highest heroin treatment admissions in Gloucester County, with 95 admissions reported to the Department of Human Services in 2025 alone.
The New Jersey Department of Human Services' self-reporting loophole
The New Jersey Department of Human Services currently lacks the authority to audit these specific expenditures. Under existing rules, towns and counties self-report their spending to the state and are not required to provide receipts or formal documentation to prove the money is being used for drug treatment or prevention.
This lack of a clear tracking prrocess means there is no established accountability mechanism for residents who believe their local governments are mismanaging settlement proceeds. While the state expects to distribute $1.1 billion by 2038, the current system relies heavily on the honesty of municipal leaders.
Will the Attorney General investigate Washington Township?
Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik has defended the purchase of the Flock license plate readers, suggesting they could help break the cycle of addiction-related crime. However, several critical questions remain unanswered: Will the New Jersey Attorney General's office launch a formal investigation into the township's spending? Additionally, how will the new legislation introduced by State Assemblyman Cody Miller impact the oversight of these funds moving forward?
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