More funding available from Tennessee's opioid settlements

(The Center Square) – Another $20 million is available to communities from the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council, the organization said Tuesday.

The money is part of multi-million dollar settlements made by the attorney general's office with opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies, the council said.

The Tennessee General Assembly allocated 15% of the settlement money to the state and 15% to county governments, according to the council. Seventy percent of the money goes to the Opioid Abatement Trust Fund, which splits the funds between counties and the council, which conducts a competitive grant application process.

The council awarded more than $78 million in grants earlier this year, according to a release. County governments received $62 million in two rounds of payments in 2023 and 2024.

"What we're looking for in this second Announcement of Funding is to break new ground with organizations doing great work," said Mary Shelton, TN Opioid Abatement Council Executive Director. "We want to hear from the grassroots, local agencies who see the need in their community and want to respond in innovative, collaborative ways. Because the hurt across our state is so great, we know there are even more organizations creating space for healing who can utilize this funding."

The most recent agreement involves grocery chain Kroger, which agreed to a $1.2 billion settlement involving multiple states. Tennessee's share is $42 million, according to information from Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti.

"Tennessee’s Opioid Abatement Council continues to deliver much-needed help for people across our great state,” Skrmetti said. “The additional $20 million for Community Grants means more support for Tennessee families and communities struggling with the opioid epidemic."

The Tennessee Drug Overdose Dashboard shows 3,073 deaths for opioid-related overdoses in 2022. Nonfatal opioid overdoses decreased in 2023 to 7,518 from 8,582 in 2022, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.