Good afternoon!

Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs) are a proven harm reduction strategy that addresses the ongoing overdose crisis by providing supervised spaces for drug use alongside access to medical care and supportive services. These centers have been shown to save lives, reduce the spread of infectious diseases, and connect individuals with treatment, all without increasing drug use or crime​.

Despite their success, OPCs remain a point of contention in the allocation of opioid settlement funds. Resistance to OPC funding is particularly evident in Appalachia. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration rejected a recommendation from the state’s opioid settlement advisory board to allocate settlement funds for OPCs. Similarly, local and state leaders in regions like Pennsylvania, California, and Colorado, along with cities such as Philadelphia, have opposed or blocked efforts to establish OPCs through vetoes, legal challenges, or restrictive policies. Meanwhile, Rhode Island has committed over $2 million and Vermont more than $1 million in settlement funds to support OPCs. The settlement agreements allow for OPC funding, as they encourage using resources for evidence-based strategies to prevent overdose deaths and related harms, even though OPCs are not explicitly listed​.

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For a deeper dive into the current landscape of OPCs, please join the Drug Policy Alliance on Thursday, December 12th, from 3:00 to 6:05 PM ET for the webinar “Clearing the Path for Overdose Prevention Centers in the United States.” This event will feature expert panels discussing the evidence supporting OPCs, recent legislative changes, operational developments, and the legal challenges they face. Register here.

Kentucky

Adair County awarded an undisclosed amount of funding to the Support Agnecy to purchase Deterra drug deactivation and disposal pouches. See meeting recording 14:00-19:00.

The City of Louisville approved grants for 20 organizations, including $365,420 for Family Scholar House, $316,352 for ChooseWell Communities 2: Employment Training, $281,858 for St. Vincent de Paul Louisville, $239,280 for ChooseWell Communities 1: Housing, and $243,900 for the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. See the budget document for the full list.

North Carolina

The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners has approved $400,000 for Naloxone Distribution, $2.5 million for a Post-Overdose Response Team, $2 million for Addiction Treatment for Incarcerated to expand Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in the Mecklenburg County Detention Center, and $600,000 for Reentry Programs. These funds will be allocated between December 2024 and June 2028. See Board resolution for details.   

New York

The City of Rochester is launching a community-wide survey that will help define how the city will spend its share of state opioid settlement funds All city residents are encouraged to participate in the anonymous survey here  through Feb. 2025. Also, Rochester’s Neighborhood Ambassador Program is facilitating community input sessions:

• Northwest Community Input Meeting: 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Cameron Community Ministries, 48 Cameron St.
• Southeast Community Input Meeting: 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 534 Oxford St.

Ohio

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation awarded more than $4.9 million in grants to support 34 projects across the state.

• Region 7 – Broadway Recovery Services – Unio- Peer Recovery Support – Recovery Supports – $123,123
• Region 8 – Ascend Innovations – Crisis Notifications: Dayton Regional Pathways HUB – Intervention and Crisis Support – $65,000
• Region 8 – Brigid’s Path – Growing Support: Empowering Women and Children Affected by Addiction – Services for Impacted Children and Families – $47,200
• Region 9 – 1N5 – Building Resilience in Youth – Prevention – $48,000
• Region 9 – Fayette Co. Family YMCA – Y COPE: The YMCA’s Community Opioid Prevention and Education Initiative – Prevention – $180,452
• Region 11 – Anazao Community Partners – Expanding Access and Enhancing Care: Bringing Innovative Behavioral Health Services to Holmes County – Treatment and Healthcare Services – $66,744.38
• Region 12 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Licking & Perry Counties – Little Steps, Big Futures: Big Brothers Big Sisters Opioid Prevention Initiative – Prevention – $165,000
• Region 12 – Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio – Justice for Recovery Through Legal Aid – Recovery Supports – $300,000
• Region 14 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Hamilton – Boys & Girls Clubs of Hamilton Prevention Programming – Prevention – $356,400
• Region 14 – Brigid’s Path – Growing Support: Empowering Women and Children Affected by Addiction – Services for Impacted Children and Families – $127,720
• Region 14 – Greene Co. Public Health – Expanding Harm Reduction Services in Greene and Clinton Counties – Harm Reduction – $329,222.20
• Region 15 – Brigid’s Path – Growing Support: Empowering Women and Children Affected by Addiction – Services for Impacted Children and Families – $32,960
• Region 15 – Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions – Lima MRT, TREM, and Seeking Safety Training Program – Workforce – $30,000
• Region 15 – Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth of Ohio – Evidence-Based Interventions for Foster Youth Impacted by Substance Use Disorders – Workforce – $58,720
• Region 15 – WORTH Center – Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation Center – Criminal Legal System – $16,240.15
• Region 16 – WORTH Center – Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation Center – Criminal Legal System – $7,178.55
• Region 17 – Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions – Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions Kenton Transportation Assistance – Recovery Supports – $25,879
• Region 17 – WORTH Center – Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation Center – Criminal Legal System – $9,400

Summit County has allocated $45 million to establish the Summit Health and Safety Innovation Fund, which will be permanently endowed and invested. This endowment will support innovative health and safety initiatives within the community, ensuring sustainable funding for future public health challenges. The fund will operate as a supporting organization of the Akron Community Foundation, maintaining its own board of directors to oversee operations and grant distributions. Also, The Summit County Opioid Abatement Advisory Council maintains a website with information about previous awards

South Carolina

Richland County approved Lexington/Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council’s (LRADAC) application for $180,000 through the Guaranteed Political Subdivision Subfund, pending South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund approval. The funding will be used to hire three additional Recovery Support Specialists to assist 400 individuals annually, focusing on incarcerated individuals transitioning from Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, by addressing barriers to recovery during treatment and providing support for up to 12 months post-discharge. See agenda packet pp. 78-81 for details.

Pennsylvania — DDAP application info. for “Community-Based Prevention Services to Prevent Opioid Use” (DUE 12/13)

Tennessee — OAC application info. for “Opioid Abatement Council Community Grants Cycle 2” (DUE 12/13)

Pennsylvania — DDAP application info. for “Harm Reduction Services” (DUE 12/20)

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — application info. (DUE 12/31)

Kentucky — KYOAAC application portal for “Prevention” and “Treatment and Recovery Support” (DUE 1/17/25)

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)

Georgia

Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission 

• TBD (late February or early March 2025)

Kentucky

Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (meeting info here)

• Business Meeting: 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)

• TBD
• 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)

• TBD
• 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: February 12 2025, 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
• Audit & Finance Committee: TBD
• Executive Committee: TBD
• Grant Oversight Committee: December 12, 3:00pm EST
• Personnel Committee: TBD
• Investment Committee: TBD

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: TBD
• 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: March 5, 10am EST(info here)
• Coffee Chat: TBD 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: December 13, 1:00pm EST (info here)
• In-person located in Franklin, 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: December 12, 12:45pm EST
• Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month