Good afternoon,

This week’s updates show that tangible change is taking place, as communities improve access to opioid use disorder treatment and take steps to hold systems responsible for their role in the crisis.

In a recent podcast episode, Dr. Arianna Campbell of PHI’s Bridge Center highlighted how rural hospitals are starting patients on buprenorphine right in the emergency room. By making addiction treatment available at critical points of care, these hospitals are not only saving lives, but also reducing stigma and expanding access in some of the most underserved areas.

At the same time, the Department of Justice has opened up more than $51 million in new federal grant opportunities to support “anti-heroin” and “anti-meth” efforts. These grants are designed to help law enforcement in the hardest-hit states scale up investigations, improve coordination, and disrupt drug trafficking networks that complement public health efforts already underway.

We also want to highlight the work of two national organizations:

MuckRock is a nonprofit newsroom and public resource that helps journalists, researchers, and community members hold power to account. With tools like FOIA Machine, DocumentCloud, and oTranscribe, MuckRock simplifies public records access and supports transparent journalism. Their collaborative reporting efforts have informed national conversations on government spending, public health, and safety. Learn more about MuckRock.

On the last Friday of every month, MuckRock’s Data Reporter, Dillon Bergin, hosts a live session answering your questions and diving deep into FOIA and state public records laws. Whether you’re new to requesting or looking to refine your skills, these sessions are designed to help you file better and get the information you need. Register here.

Reporting on Addiction brings together addiction scientists, journalists, and educators to improve how addiction is covered in the media. The initiative offers research-based training, expert sourcing, and stigma-reducing resources to strengthen the accuracy and impact of addiction reporting. Explore their work here.

Below, you’ll find state-level highlights showing how Appalachian communities are using opioid settlement funds to respond with urgency, creativity, and compassion.

–The CEG Team

Georgia

Georgia Southern University’s Center for Addiction Recovery has launched four new initiatives with nearly $800,000 in opioid settlement funding from the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust:

• Critical Access Hospital Support: A two-year initiative to equip 30 rural hospitals with tools to enhance opioid prevention, treatment, and harm reduction.
• Recovery Community Organization Training: An 18-month program to build nonprofit management capacity among recovery leaders statewide.
• Harm Reduction Mapping: A yearlong effort to assess Georgia’s harm reduction landscape, including policy barriers and workforce gaps.
• Collegiate Recovery Enhancement: Expansion of Georgia Southern’s on-campus recovery program, supporting students in sustaining recovery while completing their education.

These efforts come as overdose deaths in Georgia continue to decline sharply since mid-2023.

Kentucky

Four additional counties—Bell, LaRue, Marion, and Washington—have been certified as Recovery Ready Communities, joining 21 others across the Commonwealth. These counties demonstrated strong prevention, treatment, and recovery support systems, including:

• In Bell County: inpatient beds and family housing for women, a robust harm reduction program, and school-based prevention.
• In LaRue County: police social workers, a mobile health unit, and recovery housing access.
• In Marion and Washington counties: two major treatment providers, an innovative jail-based program, and second-chance employment pathways.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Coleman reappointed three Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission members and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to distributing over $900 million in settlement funds. Harlan County continues to be cited as a model for recovery infrastructure and community-wide engagement.

Maryland

Baltimore continues to expand its harm reduction infrastructure with a 24/7 vending machine offering naloxone, clean syringes, test strips, and safer sex kits. Operated by Charm City Care Connection and funded through the city’s $650 million opioid settlement, the machine offers anonymous, low-barrier access to life-saving resources.

Statewide, Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response released recommendations for opioid settlement spending. Focus areas include:

• Increasing naloxone availability
• Expanding street outreach and harm reduction
• Enhancing recovery and treatment services
• Promoting diversion and reentry programs

Maryland has already awarded $12.4 million in grants to 28 organizations and will prioritize community-based organizations in its upcoming funding round.

North Carolina

In Cumberland County, the FY2026 recommended budget includes funding for a new position supported by opioid settlement dollars within the Public Health Department.

In Warren County, a community event called Celebrating Warren County was funded through the local settlement allocation and aimed to raise awareness about recovery resources. The event was hosted by Warrenton Church of God, which operates a Celebrate Recovery program.

Orange County’s Opioid Advisory Committee (OAC) is overseeing $12.3 million in settlement funds. Current investments include:

• Freedom House (evidence-based treatment)
• The FIT Reentry Program
• The Lantern Project (recovery support)
• Post-overdose response and syringe service programs

The county has also launched trauma-informed care initiatives in collaboration with the NC Association of County Commissioners.

Ohio

Lorain County will receive a $200,000 Opioid Remediation Grant from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to fund two drug counselors and hydration stations at the Sheriff’s Office. Additional public safety grants will support salaries for drug task force agents and overdose investigators.

The county is also weighing how to distribute $648,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for LMI residents. Meals on Wheels, emergency shelter services, and infrastructure improvements are among the proposals under consideration.

Tennessee

Rural counties like Sequatchie are grappling with a rise in opioid overdoses, fueled by fentanyl and methamphetamine. In response, local officials have launched:

• Free Narcan distribution events
• A county-wide drug task force
• Community outreach efforts to connect residents with treatment and recovery resources

Sequatchie’s proactive approach mirrors the model in Harlan County, KY, where investment in drug courts, transportation, and peer support has led to measurable declines in overdose deaths.

Yancey County, NC has opened its FY 2025–2026 Opioid Settlement Grant RFP, now accepting applications from local partners — application info. (DUE 6/13)

Cumberland County, NC (RFP) to Address Opioid Crisis— application info. (DUE 5/30)

Chatham County, NC (RFP) to Address Opioid Crisis— application info. (DUE 5/30)

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.

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