Good afternoon,
This week’s AOR newsletter captures a moment of both momentum and uncertainty in the nation’s response to the opioid epidemic. On June 5, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 by a bipartisan vote of 366–57. The bill renews funding through FY2030 for critical prevention, treatment, and recovery programs and is being heralded as a needed recommitment to confronting the fentanyl crisis. Yet, cracks are emerging beneath this show of unity.
While the SUPPORT Act’s passage signals continued federal investment, national experts are warning that parallel budget cuts—including layoffs at CDC and the consolidation of SAMHSA—are hollowing out the very infrastructure needed to monitor overdose trends, track treatment outcomes, and fund evidence-based, community-led programs. Recent reporting from Scientific American outlines how harm reduction efforts, peer-led networks, and public health surveillance systems are being quietly defunded at the federal level, raising fears that hard-won progress may soon unravel, especially in communities of color and rural areas still reeling from the epidemic’s impact.
Meanwhile, across the states, local governments are pressing forward. This issue features summaries from Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, highlighting everything from Narcan vending machines and jail-based MAT programs to grandfamily support bills and public meetings on budget allocations.
These updates reveal the tensions at play: local innovation and urgency continue to push against policy uncertainty and uneven support at higher levels. As national priorities shift, many communities are asking not only “What’s funded?” but also “Who’s being left out?”
—The AOR Team
State Updates
Alabama
In Irondale, a city councilmember was formally censured after criticizing the inclusion of opioid settlement funds in the city’s general budget, arguing such use violates legal restrictions. City officials defended their fiscal decisions, but the dispute has intensified ahead of the August municipal elections.
Georgia
Newton County Sheriff’s Office installed Georgia’s first free Naloxone vending machine in a detention center, funded by a $196,800 grant from the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust and the Department of Public Health. The machine provides life-saving Narcan kits and education to the community.
Kentucky
KACo hosted a June webinar spotlighting Recovery Community Centers (RCCs), emphasizing peer-led services like coaching and life-skills workshops funded by opioid settlement dollars. An in-person RCC training will be held July 29 in Frankfort.
Attorney General Coleman urged Congress to pass the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act and highlighted Kentucky’s $3.6M “Better Without It” campaign promoting drug-free lifestyles.
The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission will award $5M for innovative research into OUD and overdose prevention. Applications open July 1 and close December 20.
Maryland
Baltimore awaits a final court ruling on potential abatement funding beyond the $266M already awarded in its opioid lawsuit against McKesson and AmerisourceBergen. The city previously secured $669M total in settlements but has faced criticism for lacking transparency in distribution. A Restitution Fund and Advisory Board were established, but only $2M is allocated for community grants in the FY2026 budget.
Charm City Care Connection, the first recipient of local settlement funds, received $5M to expand outreach and harm reduction services in West Baltimore.
Mississippi
Mississippi is set to receive $370M in opioid settlement funds, with 85% controlled by the state legislature. SB 2767 establishes a 15-member advisory council to make funding recommendations for $259M, while $56M remains available for non-opioid-related use—raising public health concerns about accountability. Advocates warn the structure lacks transparency and recovery representation.
New York
The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) spotlighted how counties can better engage residents in opioid abatement through personalized, data-driven public awareness campaigns. A recent podcast episode highlights NYSAC’s collaboration with Trellis Strategies to strengthen local response efforts.
North Carolina
Cabarrus County has introduced Bingo, a 9-month-old Aussiedoodle therapy dog for EMS staff coping with secondary trauma from overdose calls. His training is funded by opioid settlement dollars.
Edgecombe County is holding a series of forums to inform residents about its $5 million opioid settlement allocation and gather input. Between July–October 2024, the county’s paramedic program distributed 277 Narcan boxes and 600 syringes.
Durham County will form an opioid settlement advisory committee to oversee the distribution of funds. The application process opens late summer, per a June 2 BOCC work session.
Alexander County approved a resolution to direct opioid settlement funds during its FY2026 budget vote.
🔗 Alexander County Government article
Wayne County’s jail-based Substance Misuse Program integrates MAT, peer support, and reentry services. It is gaining national attention and may expand through opioid settlement funding.
Ohio
Niles is using part of its $150,000 opioid settlement to buy an Apex R7 spectrometer, enabling officers to safely identify fentanyl and other drugs through sealed packaging.
Miami County has awarded over $550,000 across 31 community grants through its Opioid Settlement Grant Program. The next cycle opens July 15.
Attorney General Yost announced a second round of jail grants—$2.3M awarded to 13 facilities to support addiction treatment in jails, bringing the total to $3.5M across 26 counties.
State Budget Watch: Advocates criticize Ohio Senate’s substitute budget bill for slashing $2.2M from the naloxone distribution program and cutting other health-related funds while offering a $1.1B tax cut skewed toward high earners.
🔗 Policy Matters Ohio statement
Pennsylvania
Rep. Marla Brown introduced bipartisan legislation (HB 1528) to use opioid settlement funds to support “grandfamilies”—grandparents raising grandchildren due to the opioid crisis. The bill would allocate grants to Area Agencies on Aging to meet urgent child care needs.
Luzerne County is proposing a $1.5 million allocation from opioid settlement funds to sustain medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for inmates through 2026. The county expects $30 million total from the state’s settlement share.
South Carolina
Berkeley County is accepting applications from nonprofits for up to $100,000 in opioid settlement funds. The county has received nearly $4 million to date and plans to distribute this round from a $707,968.64 installment. Funds must be used for approved remediation strategies such as naloxone access, MAT, recovery services, prevention, and syringe service programs.
Tennessee
Tennessee’s Opioid Abatement Council has awarded $81 million in grants to expand treatment access across the state. Firefly, a Vanderbilt-based outpatient program for pregnant and postpartum women, received $5 million to grow rural reach, peer support, and evaluation. The Next Door Recovery, a faith-based residential and outpatient center for women, received $1.1 million to extend hours and add 340 new intakes. Shelby County also approved opioid funds for a Sheriff’s app to improve outreach.
Virginia
The City of Covington will vote on Resolution R-25-19 to accept opioid settlement funds from the Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) as part of its June 10 meeting agenda. The resolution would authorize the distribution of settlement dollars without requiring a local match, enabling the city to apply funds toward local abatement efforts.
West Virginia
Wood County Commissioners are encouraging local community centers, such as the Waverly Activity Center, to apply for grants, including opioid settlement funds from the West Virginia First Foundation, to address facility repairs. Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce, District 3’s regional representative to the Foundation, is reportedly gathering recommendations, though local officials say community engagement remains unclear.
In Monongalia County, officials continue grappling with shelter capacity and funding. More than $500,000 in opioid settlement funds have already been disbursed this fiscal year. Commissioners emphasized the strain of serving people from neighboring counties while reaffirming their responsibility to Monongalia residents. Shelter Director Jessica Thompson noted a pressing need for expanded mental health and housing services, with nearly half of shelter users coming from outside the county.
Grant Opportunities
Yancey County, NC has opened its FY 2025–2026 Opioid Settlement Grant RFP, now accepting applications from local partners — application info. (DUE 6/13)
2025 Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust Grant— application info. (DUE 6/18)
Cobb County, GA (RFP) to Address Opioid Crisis— application info. (DUE 7/11)
New York – OASAS continues to fund workforce development efforts, including scholarship programs for CASAC training.
- Additional RFPs and funding streams may be available through county-specific portals or state MOA advisory boards.
City of Moundsville, WV invites organizations to apply for opioid settlement funds— application info.
City of Fairmont, WV invites organizations to apply for opioid settlement funds. A 20% match will be required for all projects.— application info.
Reporting on Addiction microgrants are open in KY, ME, NJ, and NY. Application deadline is June 15, 2025. — application info.
For more grant opportunities, check out: OpioidSettlementTracker.com. To share unlisted grant opportunities, email tips@OpioidSettlementTracker.com. For other tips, contact aor@communityeducationgroup.org.
Upcoming Meetings
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)
- March 19, 2025 recorded 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
Kentucky
Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (info here)
- Business Meeting: July 8, 2025, 1pm EST
- In-person located in Frankfort, KY and attendees can give public comment
- Can watch live and recordings on their YouTube channel
- Prevention Subcommittee Meeting: TBD
- In-person located in Frankfort, KY
- Treatment & Recovery Subcommittee meeting: TBD
- In-person located in Frankfort, KY
Maryland
Maryland Overdose Response Advisory Council
- Thursday, June 12, 2025, 10:00am-11:30am EST
- 100 State Cir, Annapolis, MD 21401
- Governor’s Reception Room
- Live stream link here.
New York
Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board (info here)
- September 12, 2025, 10:30am 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’
- Next meeting TBD
- Webex link here.
North Carolina
Cumberland-Fayetteville Opioid Response Team Meeting
- Third Tuesday of each month, 10:00-11:30am EST
- In-person at: Cumberland County Department of Public Health
- Next meeting: June 17, 2025, 10:30am EST
Ohio
OneOhio Recovery Foundation Board (info here)
- Full Board Meeting: June 11, 2025, 10:30am EST
- Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99453254681
- Can watch live and recordings on their website
- Audit & Finance Committee: June 11, 2025, 9:30am EST
- Executive Committee: July 23, 2025, 9:00am EST
- Grant Oversight Committee: June 25, 2025, 3:00pm EST
- Personnel Committee: June 3, 2025, 3:00pm EST
- Investment Committee: August 20, 2025, 10:30am EST
Regional Information Sessions (see events calendar for most up-to-date info)
- TBD
South Carolina
Opioid Recovery Fund
- Coffee Chat: August 1, 2025, 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
- The SCORF Board will open to public comment during Coffee Chat on August 1 and November 7. Advanced registration is required to comment. (info here).
Tennessee
Opioid Abatement Council
- Quarterly Meeting: June 24, 2025, 12:00pm CST (info here)
- Next in-person located in Overton County, TN. Meetings are also available to watch via Teams – All attendees can give public comment
- Recordings and meeting minutes are available on their website
West Virginia
West Virginia First Foundation, Inc. (meeting info here)
- Board of Directors meeting: June 30, 2025, 10:00am EST
- Questions can be submitted to media@wvfirst.org
- Google Meet link here.
Want your event or upcoming meeting published in the AOR newsletter? Email us at AOR@communityeducationgroup.org
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