Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

12/13/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/13/2024 14:49

Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust Awards $70.3 Million to 128 Projects Combatting Opioid Crisis Statewide

December 13, 2024

Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust Awards $70.3 Million to 128 Projects Combatting Opioid Crisis Statewide

ATLANTA - The Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust announces $70.3 million in grant funding to 128 Georgia-based projects to address the opioid crisis, marking a significant milestone in state's fight against the epidemic. Of the $70.3 million, the Trust has designated $43.4 million of funding in the first year and $26.9 million in the second year.

"Opioid-related overdoses have devastated families, but these grants will start to turn the tide," said Kevin Tanner, Trustee of the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust. "Through strategic partnerships and targeted investments, we are equipping communities with the resources they need to combat this crisis and save lives. Transparency, accountability, and meaningful outcomes are at the heart of these efforts. I want to thank the Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission and the Regional Advisory Councils who spent countless hours vetting the proposed projects."

These funds, derived from national settlements with major pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers, aim to prevent opioid misuse, expand treatment options, support recovery and reduce harm in communities most affected by the crisis. The Trust distributed an additional $5 million to the Qualified Block Grantees (QBGs), which are Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Fulton counties, as well as the City of Atlanta. QBGs distribute their funding allocations independently.

A list of the inaugural grant award projects may be found at https://www.gaopioidtrust.org/ListOfGrantees/.

The Numbers Behind the Crisis

The Georgia Department of Public Health reportsfrom 2010 to 2022, the total number of opioid-involved overdose deaths in Georgia increased by 302%. These increases were driven largely by fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid often found in drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and counterfeit pills. From 2019 to 2022, fentanyl-involved drug overdose deaths increased 308%, from 392 to 1,601.

Grant Selection Process

The Georgia Opioid Abatement Trust received 308 applications during its inaugural grant application period earlier this year, requesting a total of $248 million. In accordance with the settlement, applications were reviewed by Regional Advisory Councils and the Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission. After a rigorous review process, Trustee Tanner gave final approval to projects with both statewide and regional impacts. The Trust anticipates reopening the application process in 2025; information about future grant opportunities will be forthcoming.

About the Settlements Funds

The State of Georgia is set to receive $638 million from the manufacturers and distributors opioid settlement. Of this amount, approximately $479 million will be managed by the Georgia Opioid Abatement Trust to support projects addressing the opioid crisis, while $159 million will be allocated directly to local governments, reflecting a 75/25 distribution split.

Within the Trust's $479 million share, $287.4 million is designated for projects with statewide impact, and $191.6 million will be allocated to initiatives with regional significance, based on a 60/40 funding division. To ensure equitable and effective use of these funds, the state has established a governance structure that includes six Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) and five Qualifying Block Grantees (QBGs). The RACs make funding recommendations to the Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission (GOSAC) while the QBGs make their funding decisions independent of the GOSAC. The GOSAC then makes recommendations to the Trustee, who has final decision making authority over the funds.

The Trust recognizes the leadership and vision of Governor Brian Kemp, Attorney General Chris Carr, the Georgia General Assembly, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), the Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission and the Regional Advisory Councils in guiding these funds, respectively.

About the Trustee

Kevin Tanner serves as the Trustee of the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust. He also serves as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities. More information about the Trustee may be found here.