Hi friends,

There’s never a dull moment in the world of opioid response, and this week proves it.

First, big news from D.C.: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has renewed the national Public Health Emergency for the opioid crisis. Why does that matter? It keeps critical flexibilities in place and ensures continued federal coordination, a vital move even as overdose deaths start to decline. As Secretary Kennedy put it, this crisis is a “national security emergency”, and we couldn’t agree more!

Meanwhile, Purdue Pharma is back in the headlines. The company has filed a new $7.4 billion bankruptcy plan that could finally bring some resolution to thousands of opioid-related lawsuits. The Sackler family would give up ownership of the company and contribute up to $7 billion. If approved, this plan would fund opioid abatement efforts and provide direct payments to victims, a historic move, years in the making.

And in another major settlement update, Kroger has agreed to pay $1.37 billion to address its role in the opioid crisis. States like North Carolina and Wisconsin are already planning how to put those dollars to work on prevention, treatment, and accountability.

We’re breaking down all of this and more in this week’s newsletter, including updates from across the country, resources, and upcoming opportunities to stay involved. Let’s keep pushing forward, because with the right tools, partnerships, and investments, real change is within reach.

— The CEG Team

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the Syndemic Summit 2025, taking place on September 19, 2025, in Huntington, West Virginia! Early Bird tickets can be bought at https://cutt.ly/2025-SyndemicSummit.

To see more about the 2024 Summit, check out our report and recap video at  https://communityeducationgroup.org/syndemic-summit/. If you’re interested in exhibiting or sponsoring, please reach out to ljohn@communityeducationgroup.org!

Alabama

Cities and state agencies across Alabama are putting opioid settlement funds to work through a mix of local innovation and statewide strategy. Mobile allocated $2.2 million to 18 initiatives, including $313K for drug court expansion and over $600K for naloxone distribution, treatment access, and recovery support. The Helios Alliance helped guide the funding process using community data and AI modeling.

At the state level, nearly $28 million of a $41 million appropriation is headed to the Alabama Department of Mental Health for prevention, treatment, recovery grants, and a statewide opioid education campaign. Other allocations include support for crisis centers, K–12 education, medication-assisted treatment in jails, and workforce training at Auburn and UAB. Alabama is expected to receive more than $500 million in total settlement funds. Click here for a full list of the approved funding allocations.

Kentucky

Communities across Kentucky are leveraging opioid settlement funds to support youth-focused prevention programs. Jefferson County Public Schools will receive $1.6 million to expand in-school and after-school prevention services, including hiring a mental health nurse practitioner and community health workers to support early intervention and family engagement.

In Hopkins County, the Lions Quest program secured a $10,000 grant to support teens involved in the juvenile justice system. The program, the first of its kind in the state, reports zero recidivism among graduates. These efforts are part of Kentucky’s broader strategy to invest in education, mental health, and trauma-informed care to curb future substance use.

New York

In Nassau County, nearly $100 million in opioid settlement funds remain largely unused, drawing criticism from local leaders and advocates. Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton called out the Blakeman administration for its lack of urgency and transparency, noting that only $4.8 million has been spent to date. Although $36 million is reportedly “encumbered,” much of the funding has yet to be delivered to service providers.

• To address the delays, the County Legislature recently approved up to $1 million to hire an outside firm to streamline the distribution process. Advocates hope this intervention will finally get life-saving resources into the community, where they are urgently needed.

North Carolina

Counties across North Carolina continue to explore innovative ways to use opioid settlement funds to address local needs. In Mecklenburg County, officials have seen a decline in overdose deaths thanks to investments in naloxone distribution, post-overdose response teams, and treatment for incarcerated individuals. The county will host a public meeting on March 27 to gather input on future spending priorities.

In Rowan County, community organization Down Home NC is advocating for $500,000 in opioid funds to launch a youth action agency. The proposed initiative would unite schools, nonprofits, and local government to address youth disengagement and prevent substance use.

Governor Josh Stein’s proposed budget includes new strategies to fight the opioid crisis, such as creating a fentanyl enforcement unit and expanding rural health access. The budget also builds on Stein’s legacy of securing over $750 million in opioid settlement funds for North Carolina through his work as attorney general.

Ohio

Ohio continues to make significant progress in deploying opioid settlement funds to support addiction recovery, treatment, and prevention across the state. Summit County received a $187,000 opioid remediation grant to hire a full-time advanced practice registered nurse at the Summit County Jail.

In northwest Ohio, the OneOhio Recovery Foundation awarded over $4 million in its first round of funding. Grantees include Harbor ($529K) for LGBTQ+ prevention services, the Zepf Center ($400K) for peer support staffing, and Lucas County Children Services ($463K) for treatment and family support. The Brighter Beginnings recovery home in Trumbull County, funded with $850,000, is providing safe, family-centered housing for mothers in recovery and their children.

Washington County also approved new opioid remediation funding to hire a jail coordinator who will help connect individuals to treatment without affecting their criminal charges. In Fairlawn, City Council is considering using settlement funds to purchase AED units, recognizing the overlap between opioid overdose and cardiac arrest.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is making strides in opioid prevention and recovery through a mix of local and state-level initiatives. The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs awarded nearly $1.5 million in Mallinckrodt settlement funds to seven organizations across the state, including Cambria County Drug Coalition, Unity Recovery, and YWCA Tri-County Area, to implement youth-centered, evidence-based prevention programs.

In Monroe County, the “We Fight Fentanyl” campaign and Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative (LETI) recently marked one year of progress, having helped over 100 individuals access support services. Organizations like Justin’s House, a men’s recovery center, used opioid funds to improve transportation and expand access to treatment.

In Luzerne County, officials are moving forward with a $260,000 allocation to sustain outpatient treatment, including medication-assisted treatment. The county’s Opioid Commission held a town hall to gather input and emphasized investing in housing, recovery supports, and community partnerships. Groups like Dress for Success Luzerne County are stepping up to provide workforce readiness programs for women in recovery.

Tennessee

Tennessee is expanding its efforts to address the opioid crisis through a mix of community engagement and targeted investments. The Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council has launched a Community Advocacy Panel, inviting residents with lived experience, including those in recovery and families affected by overdose, to apply and inform funding decisions. Applications are open through April 4 on TN.gov.

In Hawkins County, the Budget Committee approved $289,000 in opioid settlement funds to support an EMS overdose outreach program, including the purchase of two vehicles, public education, and Narcan distribution. The initiative will involve home visits and follow-up care for overdose survivors.

Meanwhile, a $1.5 million federal grant will support a new medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program at the county jail as the FUSE program winds down. These combined efforts are part of the county’s broader strategy, including the Renewal Project, to reduce overdose deaths and expand access to treatment and recovery services.

Virginia

The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) hosted a virtual Abatement Academy webinar on March 21, offering guidance and updates on the use of opioid settlement funds across the Commonwealth. If you missed it, the full recording is available to view here on YouTube.

West Virginia

Wheeling City Council has approved a $66,000 allocation of opioid settlement funds to Northwood Health Systems. The funding will support the addition of a peer recovery support specialist to the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, enhancing services for individuals struggling with substance use.

The WV First Foundation announced a new $6.21 million round of grant awards to organizations across the state addressing the overdose crisis. Awardees will be announced by March 31. This supplemental funding follows an underutilized 2024 grant cycle and reflects the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to distributing West Virginia’s share of opioid settlement funds—estimated at $1 billion over the next decade.

In Wood County, officials opted to use ARPA funds to purchase six ambulances to support emergency response following the closure of St. Joseph’s Ambulance Service. The county’s $1.1 million in opioid settlement funds remains available, though requests for those dollars are already under consideration.

The Jackson County Commission recently reviewed two funding requests aimed at combating opioid misuse within the community. The first request came from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, seeking financial support to enhance their enforcement and prevention initiatives related to opioid abuse. The second request was submitted by a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing treatment and recovery services for individuals affected by opioid addiction. Both proposals are under consideration as the commission evaluates the most effective allocation of available opioid settlement funds to address the crisis in Jackson County.

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.

Miami County, Ohio — application info. (DUE 3/28)

(courtesy of OpioidSettlementTracker.com)

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

West Virginia First Foundation (RFP) Needs Assessment— application info.. (DUE 4/18)

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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