The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on NJ.com's investigation into Washington Township, in Gloucester County. The township told the state it spent opioid settlement money on drug education in 2024 and 2025. NJ.com reported that it spent the money on police equipment instead.
What did the township tell the state?
According to NJ.com, Washington Township told the state it spent $170,446.70 in settlement funds on a "school-based narcotics and education program" and "drug education." NJ.com obtained the documents through records requests and by reviewing the township's bill lists, meeting agendas, meeting minutes, audit reports and social media.
NJ.com reported that the township did not spend any of its settlement money on drug education programming in 2024 or 2025. Instead, it bought two 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs and 15 Flock surveillance cameras for its police department. The township spent nearly $268,000 on the SUVs and cameras from November 2024 to April 2026.
Why does the heroin data matter?
Washington Township is the most populous municipality in Gloucester County. According to state data cited by NJ.com, it had the highest number of heroin treatment admissions in the county in 2025, with 95 admissions reported to the Department of Human Services that year. The state does not say whether those people were township residents. NJ.com also reported that the township ranked among the worst 30% of municipalities for heroin treatment admissions per capita at the peak of the opioid crisis.
Sandy Gibson, an addiction researcher and counselor education professor, told NJ.com that the state should be held accountable for the township's spending. Gibson said, "Inaction at the level of the state is permission."
Can the state track how towns spend the money?
Towns and counties self-report to the Department of Human Services, and they are not required to routinely provide receipts or documentation. The department told NJ.com it is not responsible for making sure municipalities spend the money appropriately. NJ.com reported that there is no clear process for tracking how towns spend it, and no accountability mechanism when residents say their government is spending it wrong.
The township's council passed a resolution on Sept. 23 to advertise a request for proposals for "settlement fund consulting services," NJ.com reported. The state comptroller and the attorney general's office reportedly declined to confirm to NJ.com whether the township is under investigation.
On Monday, Democratic Assemblyman Cody Miller, who represents Gloucester County, introduced legislation to make opioid settlement spending more transparent. It would include training counties and municipalities on approved uses of the funds.
What changes for drivers?
Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik told council in September that the license plate readers were meant to "play a role in breaking the cycle of addiction-related crime" in the township. He also said other states have used settlement funds for readers. Gurcsik said the township is developing a master plan for future use of the funds.
The Inquirer does not say where the 15 cameras are installed. To see where cameras are near you, use the camera map. For background on how these systems work, read how plate readers work.
The Inquirer does not give a hearing date for Miller's bill.