Good Afternoon!

As spring approaches, we’re seeing new momentum in opioid response efforts—but also significant challenges in ensuring that funds are used effectively. This week, major headlines highlight how pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, and policymakers are shaping the landscape of opioid settlement spending and accountability.

First, the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement remains a topic of heated debate. While the $7.4 billion agreement is one of the largest opioid-related settlements in history, only about 10% of the funds are expected to go to individual victims and families. Advocates argue that corporations and legal teams have taken a disproportionate share, leaving many affected families without compensation. Meanwhile, calls for criminal accountability for Purdue executives and the Sackler family continue, though no individuals have faced felony charges to date.

In another major legal development, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has sued pharmacy giants CVS and Walgreens, alleging that their actions fueled the opioid crisis. The federal lawsuits, filed in December 2024 and January 2025, claim that the companies knowingly dispensed excessive amounts of opioids and filled fraudulent prescriptions, violating federal laws. If successful, these lawsuits could bring additional funds to communities—but also raise questions about whether pharmacy chains will take greater responsibility in preventing prescription drug misuse.

Finally, new research highlights key risk factors for non-fatal opioid overdoses, including polysubstance use, psychiatric comorbidities, previous incarceration, and homelessness. Understanding these patterns is crucial for targeting prevention efforts and directing opioid settlement funds where they are most needed.

With billions in settlement dollars continuing to flow to states and local governments, this week’s updates also include how these funds are being allocated—including new mental health and harm reduction initiatives, legal battles over overdose prevention centers, and upcoming grant opportunities for community organizations.

Here’s what’s happening this week.

At CEG, we know these are uncertain times, with shifting federal policies and funding challenges impacting organizations like yours. Now, more than ever, collaboration is essential to sustaining vital HIV and STI services.

Rather than focusing solely on our own survival, we want to understand how all organizations are navigating these changes—what sustainability measures are in place and where support is most needed.

We’re asking for 5 minutes of your time to complete a brief, confidential survey to help shape strategies that keep services strong.

• Survey closes: April 7
• Findings released: End of May

Your insights will guide efforts to ensure our communities continue to receive the care they deserve.

Access the survey here.

Alabama

Escambia County is now participating in a pilot project designed to support children living with relatives due to the opioid epidemic. With more than 65,000 children in Alabama being raised by grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives due to parental substance use disorder, this funding aims to help ease financial burdens and improve child well-being.

• Families caring for children affected by opioid use disorder can receive up to $500 per child to cover essential expenses.
• Funding can assist with orthodontia, school activities, tutoring, summer camps, and other needs that contribute to a child’s well-being.
• Many kinship caregivers, often on fixed incomes, face challenges providing stable housing, food, transportation, and enrichment opportunities for these children.
• Dr. Marsha Raulerson, a local pediatrician, emphasized that children in kinship care are more likely to thrive in a stable home environment than those placed in traditional foster care. However, she warns that these children often have two of the three risk factors for substance use disorder: a genetic predisposition and adverse childhood experiences.

Georgia

Rabun County Commissioners have established an Opioid Abatement Advisory Council to guide the use of opioid settlement funds, which are projected to total $10 million over the next decade.

• The council will be responsible for evaluating community needs and recommending funding allocations to support evidence-based opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.

Kentucky

Trimble County Fiscal Court has agreed to participate in a regional drug task force with Carroll, Gallatin, Henry, and Owen counties, along with Oldham County law enforcement and Kentucky State Police. The task force will utilize state opioid settlement dollars and aims to strengthen drug enforcement and prevention efforts. Officials are awaiting final approval from the Kentucky Attorney General.

Daviess County & Owensboro Weigh Settlement Fund Allocations

Local leaders in Owensboro and Daviess County are considering how to use opioid settlement funds—$36 million for the county and $2 million for the city, distributed through 2037. Current proposals include:

• Filling gaps in treatment services based on recommendations from the sheriff’s office and fire department.
• Developing a long-term strategic plan, led by the Alliance for a Drug-Free Owensboro-Daviess County, with priorities in prevention, treatment collaboration, and stigma reduction.
• Holding funds for future use, with Mayor Tom Watson supporting an escrow strategy to maximize impact.

New York

New York’s Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board is pushing back against the state’s decision to reject recommendations for overdose prevention centers (OPCs) and increased funding for harm reduction programs. State officials argue that federal and state laws restrict these investments, while board members warn that failing to act could exacerbate overdose disparities, particularly in communities of color.

The Yates County Legislature is set to vote on opioid settlement allocations to support housing, harm reduction, and educational programs through partnerships with Finger Lakes Addiction Counseling and Our Town Rocks.

As part of its broader State of the County initiatives, Ulster County is directing $250,000 in settlement funds toward a new supportive residence for individuals with substance use and mental health challenges.

North Carolina

Currituck County has hired Angela Lottman as its first opioid program coordinator to oversee settlement fund initiatives, including peer support, post-overdose response teams, and Narcan distribution. The role, funded by the county’s $2.25 million opioid settlement allocation, will focus on expanding partnerships and community outreach.

The City of Durham is directing its first $1 million in opioid settlement funds to harm reduction and mobile treatment initiatives, including:

• Lincoln Community Health Center ($424K) – Expanding medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
• Project MAPS (Durham Tech & Duke Health) ($239K) – Enhancing mobile treatment for opioid use disorder, HIV, and Hepatitis C.
• Durham Community Safety Department ($267K) – Hiring a peer support specialist and expanding the Safe Syringe Program.

Durham is set to receive $4.5 million in total settlement funds, with Durham County receiving $21.7 million over 18 years.

Burke County Opioid Coordinator Position Still Open

Job Opportunity: Opioid Coordinator – Burke County

Salary Range: $88,000 – $108,000

Deadline: Open Until Filled

Burke County is seeking a project manager to oversee its opioid settlement strategies, including community partnerships, coalition-building, and program development. This position will play a key role in reducing opioid-related injuries and deaths in the county.

More details & application: Burke County Careers

Ohio

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has provided key clarifications on the Opioid Remediation Grant, which supports addiction treatment and harm reduction initiatives in county jails.

• Application Deadline: Rolling submissions accepted through December 1, 2025, with funding allocated quarterly.
• Eligibility: Counties using regional jails can apply as long as funds are used for new expenses, not existing programs.
• Acceptable Expenses:
• Medication and supplies for inmates experiencing opioid withdrawal.
• Drug-testing kits as part of evidence-based treatment programs.
• Addiction Services Coordinators (full-time, part-time, or contracted) to support treatment and recovery efforts.
• Restrictions: Grant funds cannot replace existing spending covered by programs like the Psychotropic Drug Reimbursement through OhioMHAS.

Sheriff’s offices must be registered with OhioPays to receive electronic fund transfers (EFT). The next funding allocation will be distributed on June 6, 2025.

Pennsylvania

CDC data shows a 16% drop in opioid-related deaths in Pennsylvania between 2023 and 2024, marking one of the most significant declines in the U.S. While heroin-related fatalities have plummeted by nearly 80%, fentanyl remains the leading cause of overdose deaths, though those deaths also declined by 20% in the past year.

Washington County has approved $2.69 million in opioid settlement grants for 24 local programs focusing on sober living, prevention courses, and law enforcement training. Notable allocations include:

• $650,000 for the Washington Wellness & Recovery Initiative
• $277,140 for Serenity Farms’ Sequoia House
• $218,000 for wraparound services at Penn Highlands Mon Valley
• $87,123 for a school resource officer in North Strabane

Over $2 million in state opioid settlement grants has been awarded to Westmoreland Community Action and other organizations to expand access to licensed recovery housing. The initiative will support individuals recovering from substance use disorder across 19 counties, offering peer support, case management, and financial assistance for transitional housing.

Mifflin County amended its agreement with the Juniata Valley Tri-County Drug and Alcohol Commission, adjusting for additional settlement funds. The commission reported a 24% increase in individuals seeking treatment and is expanding its Narcan distribution and case management services.

Tennessee

Trousdale County received $500,000 in opioid abatement funds, with initial allocations of $25,000 to Haven House and $50,000 to Hartsville Hope & Healing Alliance. These funds will support treatment and recovery programs over multiple years.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would allocate 25% of Tennessee’s opioid settlement funds ($1.2 billion over 18 years) to expand naloxone access. Currently, only 6-8% of the funds are used for naloxone distribution.

Hope Family Health is placing free Narcan vending machines in laundromats to make overdose reversal medication more accessible. The initiative, funded by the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council, removes barriers by providing no-questions-asked access to naloxone and fentanyl test strips. More machines are planned for Portland and Gallatin.

Virginia

Virginia Beach City Public Schools will open Harbor Hope Center, a school-based recovery program for high school students struggling with substance use. The first-of-its-kind in Southside Virginia, the school will serve students from Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

• Initial enrollment: 25 students (potential to expand to 30 in year two).
• Services: Counseling, education, and recovery support in a repurposed Chesapeake school building.
• Funded by General Assembly grants and $160,000 from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority.

Virginia Beach leads the program, modeling it after the Chesterfield Recovery Academy, which has grown since opening in 2022. With teen overdose rates rising, the school will offer a critical resource for students balancing education and recovery.

West Virginia

Charleston city officials hosted a town hall to discuss how to allocate $5.2 million in opioid settlement funds. Community members, advocates, and service providers proposed investments in prevention, harm reduction, reentry programs, transportation, and mental health services. The city will now review these recommendations and consider forming an opioid settlement oversight committee to ensure funds are used effectively.

City of Weirton has approved opioid settlement funds for the police and fire departments. On Monday, March 10, 2025, the city council approved the proposal awarding the police department $211,000 to purchase K-9 vehicles and surveillance cameras to combat drug trafficking, while the fire department will receive $277,000 for AEDs, CPR equipment, and training.

County officials from Monongalia, Lewis, and Upshur Counties are advocating for greater local input in the West Virginia First Foundation’s grant allocation process. The counties are working with the foundation’s leadership to ensure smaller communities and local nonprofits can access funding. A joint press release outlining their collaboration is expected next week.

Richmond County, North Carolina — application info. (DUE 3/17), mandatory pre-application meeting 2/24 (courtesy of OpioidSettlementTracker.com)

Weirton, West Virginia — application info. (“[f]unding decisions are made by the Weirton City Council”) (courtesy of OpioidSettlementTracker.com)

Harrison County, Kentucky

The Harrison County Fiscal Court has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects aimed at preventing and addressing the impact of the opioid epidemic. Funding is available for organizations focusing on opioid prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, including support for substance use disorder, polysubstance use, and co-occurring mental health issues.

• Application Period: February 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025
• Funding Period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

The number of awards and funding amounts will vary annually based on available settlement funds. Interested entities can obtain the full RFP package from the Bluegrass Area Development District or online at Harrison County Fiscal Court News.

Blair County, Pennsylvania — application info. (DUE 3/20) (courtesy of OpioidSettlementTracker.com)

Miami County, Ohio — application info. (DUE 3/28) (courtesy of OpioidSettlementTracker.com)

Virginia STOP! Grant— application info. (DUE 4/1)

For more grant opportunities, check out: OpioidSettlementTracker.com. To share unlisted grant opportunities, email tips@OpioidSettlementTracker.com. For other tips, contact aor@communityeducationgroup.org.

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