Irvington Township misused $600,000+ in opioid settlement funds—earmarked for combating addiction—on R&B concerts (Q Parker, Musiq Soulchild), VIP performer trailers, and concessions like cotton candy/popcorn machines. While officials claimed the events reduced stigma and connected attendees to treatment (citing 4 on-site treatment referrals), New Jersey’s acting Comptroller deemed it a ‘waste’ and ‘misuse’, noting no evidence-based impact. The funds originated from national settlements with opioid manufacturers (totaling $50B+) tied to hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths. Legal disputes arose after the Comptroller demanded repayment, alleging the concerts doubled as political rallies for Mayor Tony Vauss. Irvington’s defense relied on irrelevant studies (e.g., rural Ghana research) and lacked measurable outcomes. The case highlights broader national controversies over non-evidence-based spending of settlement dollars, diverting resources from proven addiction treatment, prevention, or harm reduction programs.