Good afternoon!

We’re excited to share the second annual edition of “A Roadmap for Opioid Settlement Funds: Supporting Communities & Alleviating the Overdose Crisis,” put together by a national coalition committed to harm reduction and ending the war on drugs. This guide is designed to help elected officials, government agencies, and others make the most of these crucial funds.

The updated Roadmap has three main goals. First, it calls on everyone involved in distributing these funds to focus on what works—saving lives, getting people the care they need, and building healthier communities. Second, it urges us to leave behind outdated Drug War tactics that have only served to exacerbate the very issues we’re trying to solve. Finally, it pushes for a transparent and fair process in deciding how and where this money is spent.

We’d love for you to join us in supporting this effort. You can add your organization and name to the Roadmap and help spread the word by sharing it with your networks. The deadline to sign on is August 12th at 5 PM ET. Together, we can ensure these funds make a difference in our communities and help alleviate the overdose crisis. Read the document and sign on here.

The North Carolina House’s proposal to allocate opioid settlement funds to abstinence-only recovery centers is drawing concern from public health experts. The budget plan directs over $23 million to 25 counties and $5.4 million to 10 recovery centers but offers minimal guidance on how these funds should be spent. Some of the facilities on the list are unlicensed, and three explicitly prohibit clients from using medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) while staying at the facility. Under current state law, faith-based, nonprofit treatment centers can operate without a license if they don’t receive federal or state funding. However, the House budget plan would allow these unlicensed facilities to receive opioid settlement funds. A yet-unpublished study by researcher Jen Carroll reveals that many treatment providers in North Carolina, particularly faith-based, abstinence-only, unlicensed facilities, prohibit medication and require unpaid labor, often for enterprises related to the facility. Medical and legal experts warn that denying recovery services to individuals using MOUD could violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Alabama

Mobile City Council has approved a $154,000 contract with The Helios Alliance to review and guide the use of settlement funds.

Kentucky

Meade County ($60,000), Scott County ($110,000), Bullitt County ($50,000), and Franklin County ($75,000) have committed settlement funds to NET Recovery for the NeuroElectric Therapy (NET) Device, marketed as an alternative to medicine for managing opioid withdrawal. Letcher and Shelby counties are in the final stages of approval, while Bell County is currently in discussions with NET Recovery.

Scott County is using opioid settlement funds for the Community Paramedicine Program, which partners with local agencies to connect individuals to primary and mental health services. Additionally, two social workers have been embedded in local high schools to support students and families.

Maryland

Howard County is seeking individuals to serve on the newly established Opioid Restitution Fund Commission. The commission, consisting of 11 members will oversee the use of settlement funds. Applicants must be Howard County residents and meet the required qualifications. The deadline to apply is August 19, and applications can be submitted online here.

New York

Staten Island hospitals and clinics will receive $12 million from the city’s opioid settlement funds to restore equity after initial funds were inequitably distributed. Eight hospitals, addiction treatment clinics, and community organizations, including Northwell Health’s Staten Island University Hospital and Richmond University Medical Center, will share $3 million annually over four years to enhance SUD programs, increasing access to medications and syringe service programs. The funding, announced by Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo, comes from a special distribution by Mayor Eric Adams to address Staten Island’s unique needs.

North Carolina

The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), the University of North Carolina’s Injury Prevention Research Center, and the North Carolina Division of Public Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Branch are hosting an Opioid Settlement Academy. The Academy will support counties preparing to implement or expand a new opioid settlement strategy. This opportunity is for counties or municipalities ready to implement or expand an Exhibit A strategy with a committed team of four to six members, including a lead representative and relevant partners. Applications are due by Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.

Caswell County Commissioners approved $164,637 of opioid settlement funds to support a MOUD) program in the county jail, aimed at providing treatment for incarcerated individuals. Four other proposed strategies, including reentry programs, syringe services, early intervention, and collaborative strategic planning, were tabled for further consideration.

Ohio

Montgomery County commissioners have named the recipients of the Direct Opioid Settlement Funding Opportunity. The opportunity offered $200,000 awards to nonprofits. The 13 awardees are:

• Brigid’s Path – $180,000 
• Westcare Ohio, Inc. – $162,729
• Miami Valley Hospital Foundation – $193,280
• Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley – $197,961
• Dayton Metro Library – $137,163
• Dayton Dream Center – $200,000
• Eastway Behavioral Healthcare – $200,000
• Joshua Recovery Ministries – $110,000
• Family Services Association – $42,671
• Oasis House – $200,000
• Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program of Dayton – $68,403
• Samaritan Behavioral Health, Inc. – $200,000
• Nova Behavioral Health – $200,000

In addition to these awards, the county, which has been hit hard by the opioid crisis, is reportedly allocating some funds to build a healthcare unit at the county jail. 

South Carolina

News reports that Spartanburg County Detention Center has requested $2.1 million in opioid settlement funds for a new program that will include naloxone, syringe service programs, prevention programs, and research into opioid use. The funds would also cover hiring an additional nurse for the facility.

After a contentious meeting, the City of Aiken has decided to withhold $112,000 in settlement money promised to two organizations. The organizations, a for-profit mail-order pharmacy called Suboxone Delivered LLC and a nonprofit Telehealth clinic called Palmetto Opioid Telehealth, are protesting the decision. A Suboxone Delivered LLC representative alleged that Rural Health Services and the Aiken Center are pushing to keep the funds for themselves, but city officials have denied this.

Anderson County’s council has approved $350,342 for Love Well’s Residential Center Program and $183,720 for FAVOR’s Community Recovery services, including a full-time Community Engagement Specialist and part-time Recovery Coaches. Additionally, $94,380 was allocated to expand FAVOR Upstate-Anderson’s services at AnMed Medical Center. These funds are part of the $5.5 million received from pharmacies like Walgreens, aimed at combating addiction and supporting drug court operations.

Tennessee

The Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council has committed just under $230 million in contracts for the first cycle of community grants. Cycles last three years, meaning that cycle 1 ends June 2027. A tentative timeline for cycle 2 places the application period in October 2024, followed by announcement of awards in July 2025, with the cycle lasting from January 2026 to December 2028. The funding budget for cycle 2 is $60 million for all three years.

The following information is open to change: Cycle 2 community grants will focus on counties with the highest rate of opioid fatalities: Shelby, Tipton, Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Cumberland, Knox, Roane, and Sevier. It will focus on primary prevention, harm reduction, and treatment and recovery support, and will prioritize partnerships (projects involving multiple agencies/counties). Funding for partnerships is capped at $3 mil, while individual proposals are capped at $1 million. More information can be found in this video.

Virginia

The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority has awarded grants for various opioid remediation projects in the state. The Regional Detention Center in Frederick County received $235,141 to expand its MOUD program, and the city of Winchester received $96,590 to continue funds for an addiction response officer. The officer, who works alongside a peer recovery specialist and community paramedic, provides overdose victims with recovery resources and assists with drug trafficking investigations. A grant summary lists all grants awarded. Listed below are some notable grants given out:

• $1,069,052 to Alleghany and Covington City for new SUD prevention and recovery efforts.
• $1,709,765 to Dickinson, Scott, and Lee Counties to build and begin operating the Wildwood Wellness Health and Recovery Center.
• $1,900,9000 to Russell and Tazewell Counties to cover capital costs of “Secor”, a community residential 90-day step-down program for recently released nonviolent inmates from state prisons.
• $1,547,771 to Smyth, Wythe, Grayson, Galax, and Carroll Counties to cover capital costs for the Appalachian Center for Hope SUD treatment center.

The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority will award more than $9 million in opioid settlement funding to 16 state agencies. The funding will go to and see linked press release for specific amounts:

• Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
• Department of Corrections, Dept of Education, Dept of Health, Dept of Health Professions, and Dept of Medical Assistance Services
• Office of the Attorney General
• Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia
• Colleges: Radford University, University of Virginia, Virginia State University, and Virginia Commonwealth University
• Virginia Cooperative Extension Service
• Virginia Foundation for Health Youth
• Virginia Indigent Defense Commission

West Virginia

Monongalia County commissioners have awarded more than $626,000 in opioid settlement funds to 13 organizations. So far, the county has used only 60% of the funds it has received. Awarded funds are:

•    Mon EMS: $36,000 
•    Aspire Services Center: $24,400
•    Lauren’s Wish Triage Center: $37,500
•    Monongalia County Health Department: $51,000
•    Morgantown Sober Living: $84,000
•    Monongalia County Public Defender’s Office: $10,000
•    Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center: $45,000
•    CASA for Kids: $18,000
•    Iberia Inc.: $35,000
•    Milan Puskar Health Right: $51,000
•    Wise Path Recovery Center: $125,000
•    West Virginia University Research Center: $50,000
•    Morgantown Area Youth Center: $60,000

Wood County commissioners have awarded around $600,000 from an expected carryover of their 2023-2024 budget to various organizations. The county’s ending balance for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which ends on June 30, is approximately $600,000. Awarded funds are:

•   House to Home: $10,000

•   Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg: $7,500

•   Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA): $15,000

•   Little Kanawha RC&D: $2,000

•   Northstar: $10,000

•   Museums of the Mid-Ohio Valley: $7,500

Harrison County commissioners may rescind $100,000 they approved for the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties. The funding was approved for the hiring of one social worker, but public disclosure revealed the organization hired two social workers for the same amount of money. As the organization prepares to resubmit its request, commissioners consider rescinding it so they do not have to pay United Way twice.

Clarksburg City Council approved opioid settlement funds for three organizations. The Clarksburg Mission received $45,000 for two new vans to transport residents, emphasizing self-care and access to healthcare. The Change Initiative was granted up to $30,000 for a transportation van, and Healthy Harrison was awarded $5,000 for advertising health programs.

Upcoming Meeting

Clarksburg Council Community Conversation (meeting info here)

• August 20, 6pm EST
• In-person located in Clarksburg, WV – no registration required

Alabama

Oversight Commission on Settlement Funds

• TBD
• In-person in Montgomery, AL
• Can watch live on their website (choose ‘Room 200’ for location then ‘Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds’ for meeting)

You can also watch livestreams and recordings on The Alabama Channel (thanks to the League of Women Voters of Alabama Education Fund)

Kentucky

Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (meeting info here)

• Business Meeting: September 10, time TBD
• In-person located in Frankfort, KY and attendees can give public comment
• Can watch live and recordings on their YouTube channel
• Prevention/Reform/Compliance Subcommittee Meeting: TBD
• In-person located in Frankfort, KY
• Treatment & Recovery Subcommittee meeting: TBD
• In-person located in Frankfort, KY

Maryland

Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council (meeting info here)

• September 23, 3:00pm – 4:00pm EST
• Meetings are all-virtual. Can watch live via Google Meet & there is usually an opportunity for public comment

New York

Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board (meeting info here)

• September 13, 10:00am – 3:00pm EST
• In-person located in Albany, and attendees can give public comment
• Can watch live and recordings on their website

Monthly ‘Community’ meeting: 4th Wednesday of the month at 12pm

• See this page under ‘Community Input’

Ohio

OneOhio Recovery Foundation Board (meeting info here)

• Full Board Meeting: August 14, 10:30am EST
• In-person meetings are located in Columbus and are open to the public, but there is usually no opportunity for public comment
• Can watch live and recordings on their website
• Executive Committee: August 28, 9:00am EST
• Grant Oversight Committee: August 7, 9:00am EST
• Expert Panel: August 15, 2:00pm EST
• Personnel Committee: September 5, 3:00pm EST

Regional Information Sessions (see events calendar for most up-to-date info)

• TBD

Pennsylvania

Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust (meeting info here)

• Board of Trustees Meeting: August 22, 1:30pm – 3:00pm EST
• In-person located in Harrisburg
• All are virtual and can be watched live via Zoom and recordings on YouTube

South Carolina

Opioid Recovery Fund

• SCORF Board Meeting: September 11, location TBD (info here)
• Coffee Chat: September 6, 9:30am EST, virtual
• This is held the first Friday of the month and is an opportunity to ask questions and hear announcements about opioid settlement funds

Tennessee

Opioid Abatement Council

• Meeting: TBD (info here)
• In-person located in Memphis, TN. (Location rotates around the state.) Meetings are also available to watch via Teams – All attendees can give public comment
• Recordings and meeting minutes are available on their website

Virginia

Opioid Abatement Authority (meeting info here)

• Grants Committee: December 6, 3:00-5:00pm EST
• Finance Committee: TBD
• Board Meeting: TBD

West Virginia

West Virginia First Foundation, Inc. (meeting info here)

• Board of Directors meeting: September 5, 2:00pm EST
• Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month