The Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment & Recovery Board is directing more than $13 million toward expanding and strengthening the state's recovery centers and recovery housing.
The Settlement Board approved an Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission (ADPC) proposal to improve access to recovery community centers and housing by providing $11.75 million to establish center in counties highly impacted by overdoses, yet with the least access to recovery services.
Five million dollars has been earmarked for recovery centers in Josephine and Klamath counties to be identified by the ADPC Recovery Subcommittee in collaboration with the Oregon Health Authority and relevant partners.
Elsewhere in Southern Oregon, $2.39 million will be sent to the Painted Horse Recovery Center in Douglas County and $2.36 million will go to the Bay Area First Step Recovery Center in Curry County. The funding was awarded to OHA, which will administer the allocations.
Prior to awarding any funding, OHA was required to engage the partners listed in the ADPC proposal and provided a proposed timeline and implementation plan to the Settlement Board for approval no later than September 1st.
Since July 2021, the State of Oregon has reached agreement on national lawsuits against several companies for their role in the opioid crisis. Through these agreements, nearly $600 million will be awarded to Oregon over the course of 18 years. Settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies are divided between the State of Oregon and local jurisdictions.
Local jurisdictions with populations greater than 10,000 receiving settlement funds decide how their funds are used. Cities and counties are required to report to the Oregon Department of Justice annually on how they have allocated their funds.
