Good afternoon!

It was wonderful connecting with friends and colleagues at our inaugural Appalachian Syndemic Summit. We returned with renewed energy and a trove of insights to share.

This week, we’ve seen some promising allocations, but it’s frustrating that states continue to direct funds toward policing and punitive settings. Recent research highlights that increased drug seizures by law enforcement are associated with higher overdose mortality, particularly for fentanyl-related deaths. This approach exacerbates the overdose crisis rather than mitigating it. Despite these setbacks, we remain optimistic. There are growing examples of communities successfully advocating for funds to support harm reduction strategies and effective treatment and recovery services.

Recognizing the need for accessible technical assistance with opioid settlements, especially for small, unfunded, or underfunded grassroots advocates and community-based organizations, CEG has developed a flexible support system. Our services bypass bureaucratic hurdles to provide detailed information on fund allocation, conduct advocacy training, offer strategic advice for navigating local funding, and assist with grant applications. We facilitate versatile communication options such as text, calls, and video meetings to accommodate the schedules of dedicated volunteers, many of whom contribute their time on lunch breaks, after hours, or on weekends. This comprehensive support democratizes access to information and empowers stakeholders to effectively advocate for and implement meaningful interventions within their communities.

Contact us at AOR@CommunityEducationGroup.org.

Stay engaged, stay informed, and let’s continue making a difference together.

Join Remedy Alliance, Points of Distribution, and Smoke Works for a webinar on supply sourcing for harm reduction. This event will explore the current state of naloxone and fentanyl test strip procurement, addressing the complacency and political challenges surrounding these vital supplies. Nonprofit harm reduction vendors have been advocating for resources and have witnessed the misallocation of funds, often directed towards for-profit companies through exclusive contracts. This webinar aims to re-politicize and re-prioritize supply sourcing, redirecting resources back to harm reduction innovators. Learn about the new initiatives, including the MAP & STEP programs and the Supply Gap Fund. Register for the June 6, 12 pm ET or the July 11, 12 pm ET session. 

In a bid to block an appeal, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson argue before the West Virginia Supreme Court that public nuisance laws should not apply to the lawful distribution of prescription opioids. The companies claim their conduct in shipping opioids to fulfill legitimate prescriptions did not cause the opioid epidemic. They contend that previous rulings, which exclude product distribution from public nuisance claims, should be upheld to prevent financial penalties for broader social issues not directly caused by their actions. For more details, you can read the full article here.

Alabama

Community organizations across Walker County are collaborating with the County Commission to advise on the best use of settlement funds. To gather essential insights from folks with living and lived experiences, they created a survey for individuals to share their stories of substance use and recovery. The survey takes 4-6 minutes, and all responses are anonymous.

Kentucky

News reports that Carter County Fiscal Court approved allocating $80,000 of settlement funds to the Olive Hill Center for Arts and Heritage for various afterschool art-based extracurriculars. A representative from the center claimed that programs like this alleviate poverty and reduce the likelihood of youth substance use. Initially, the proposal was tabled due to concerns that it wasn’t an allowable use. The Carter County Attorney communicated about the proposal with the state, and it was deemed an allowed expense. It is mentioned that the center also needs roof repairs to continue the programs, but the proposal was changed to reflect salaries due to the grants running in cycles. The representative from Olive Hill said the following grant cycle proposal would be for buildings and capital investments. The motion passed 3-1, and additional future spending may include funding a police K-9 officer. 

New York

Albany County Legislature announced allocating settlement funds of $2,345,570 to 14 organizations. Priorities for fund distribution were focused on long-term community recovery. Some of the programs funded were $175,000 to Addiction Care Centers of Albany for housing support to people leaving inpatient treatment for OUD, $170,321 to Albany Medical College/Center for an alternative pain management program, and $174,891 to Community Pharmacy Enhanced Service Network to expand harm reduction efforts at five Albany Co pharmacies. Also funded were various organizations hiring peer support or harm reduction specialists, naloxone initiatives, and prevention programs. See minutes pp. 63-79 for details. 

Westchester County and the Department of Community Mental Health announced that they distributed over $4.1 million in settlement dollars to local organizations: 

Treatment

• Lexington Center for Recovery, Inc. – $395,237
• Family Services of Westchester – $330,278
• Westchester Jewish Community Services – $234,988
• John’s Riverside Hospital – $380,000
• MAT County Corrections – $1,268,280

Prevention

• Partnership to End Addiction – $600,000

Recovery

• Family Services of Westchester – $176,434

Harm Reduction

• Urban League of Westchester County, Inc. – $249,458
• Cornerstone Family Healthcare – $173,416

Training

• Lives Forward, Westchester County’s new initiative for Peer Certification Workforce Enhancement – $115,000

Equipment

• Narcotics Safety Equipment and Analyzers (Department of Corrections and Probation) – $195,750

North Carolina

Durham County seeks an Opioid Settlement Program Manager to oversee the program’s development, administration, budget, grant management, and reporting. The job posting is here.  

Pennsylvania

Lancaster County approved the Opioid Settlement Steering Committee’s recommended prioritization of $450,806.50 in funding initiatives:

• Drug & Alcohol Commission – Scholarship assistance for individuals in recovery to access housing at licensed recovery houses – $125,000.00.
• Re-Entry Coalition/Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance – Support two case managers to provide case management for individuals with substance use disorder after release from prison – $81,800.00.
• County of Lancaster – To hire a Project Manager to support planning, monitoring, and evaluating the use of opioid settlement funds in Lancaster County -$35,000.00.
• Lancaster County Prison – MAT services to people who are incarcerated, recovery support, and warm handoff at release – $209,006.50

See minutes pp. 105 and 120 for details.

South Carolina

Berkeley County is regranting some of its $1.2 million in Guaranteed Political Subdivision Subfunds to organizations and agencies who work directly on the front lines of the opioid epidemic and assist in opioid addiction recovery or preventative services. Eligible organizations and nonprofits may apply for the grant here. The application period will open on May 31 at 8 am ET and remain open through June 14.

Virginia

On May 23rd, the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (VOAA) awarded $22,672,333 to communities across the state. Most funds ($20,854,583) are directed to joint regional partnerships, and the rest of the monies go directly to cities and counties ($1,817,750). Many of the awards are in year two of funding for programs started last year from the first awards, and many of these programs carry over funds from Year 1 to Year 2. Some notable awards for regional partnerships are $1,900,000 to Russell and Tazewell one-time funding of a community residential 90-day step-90-day step-down program for formerly incarcerated individuals with non-violent convictions. Montgomery, Giles, Floyd, Pulaski Counties, and Radford City receive $2,281,487 for year two funding for the New River Valley Recovery Ecosystem with a $938,684 carryover from year one. $1,547,771 for Smyth, Wythe, Grayson, Galax, and Carroll Counties to fund the Appalachian Center for Hope treatment center. See the complete list here. 

West Virginia

The Mingo County Commission approved using settlement funds of $99,379.00 for the Sheriff’s Department to purchase a Live Scan fingerprint machine ($30,000) and 12 Motorola handheld radios to improve service throughout the county ($69,379). For discussion, see meeting recording 00:35:27- 00:43:27.

On April 16, the City of Wheeling allocated settlement funds to the following: 

Police Department:

• Police K9 – $20k 
• CIT equipment – $1,179 
• UTV/ Trailer – $83,244.08 
• TruNarc Handheld – $33,133
• Covert Camera – $14, 882 

Fire Department: 

• CPR training equipment and Narcan administration training equipment: Includes CPR mannequins, AED trainers, airway management training equipment, and Narcan administration training equipment – $4,554.00 
• Controlled substance securing devices for ambulances and EMS supply storage areas: Enhances security and tracking of controlled substances on ambulances for patient treatment – $15,814.00 
• Automated CPR devices: The Auto Pulse performs hands-free CPR. Includes 5 units with service agreements -$154,219.45
• Power stair chairs: Used to move incapacitated individuals safely from confined areas and up and down stairs, reducing back injury risks for responders. Includes 3 units with service agreements -$64,714.55 
• Disinfecting equipment for ambulances: Releases a disinfecting solution in a closed ambulance, drying without residue to prevent the spreading of communicable diseases. Includes 4 units – $63,766.16 
• Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs): Determines if a patient needs heart defibrillation. Required for all WFD vehicles; 15 current units need replacement. Includes 18 AEDs with service agreements – $89,441.46 
• Ballistic vests for responders: Includes 32 vests – $29,035.52 
• EMS slide-in attachment for UTV: Allows the transport of incapacitated victims from hard-to-reach areas – $10,289.00

See agenda items #1 and #2 for details, and read this article for community reactions to the spending decisions. 

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)

Kentucky

Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (meeting info here)

• Business Meeting: June 4 – time 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)

• May 17, 10:30am – 4pm 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’

Ohio

OneOhio Recovery Foundation Board (meeting info here)

• Full Board Meeting: June 12, 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
• Executive Committee: June 26, 9:00am EST
• Grant Oversight Committee: June 12, 9:30am EST
• Expert Panel: June 6, 2pm EST
• Personnel Committee: June 6, 3pm EST

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: June 20, 2:00pm – 3:30pm EST
• 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: June 19 time and location TBD (info here)
• Coffee Chat: June 7, 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

Tennessee

Opioid Abatement Council

• Meeting: June 18, 9:00am – 11:00am CST (info here)
• In-person located in Memphis, 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: August 2, 3-5pm EST
• Finance Committee: TBD
• Board Meeting: June 14, 3-5pm EST

West Virginia

West Virginia First Foundation, Inc. (meeting info here)

• Board of Directors meeting: June 6, 2:00pm EST