Massachusetts cities and towns are eligible to receive funds from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s (AG’s) settlement cases with opioid industry defendants. For more specific information, please see the AG’s publication on this site.
- Frequently Asked Questions About the AG’s Statewide Opioid Settlements
- Approved Programs and Strategies
- Guidance for Municipalities Utilizing Opioid Settlement Abatement Payments
QHSUA and Hampshire Hope also have put together an overview for the abatement funds, which you can download by clicking here.
Curious how others are spending the money? Check out these slides (downloads as PDF): Opioid abatement funding uses – MA and other states.
Municipal Opioid Abatement Funds Data Dashboard is available for folks to learn about how money is being spent on this project. Check it out by clicking here.
Funds
For towns within the QHSUA region, we have created an Excel document showing the total estimated amount of funds allocated per town per year, through 2038. To download our Excel file, click here: QHSUA Region _ Opioid settlement payments UPD Aug 2024
Municipalities that receive funds over $35,000 per year are required to report on their expenditures every year. Municipalities receiving less than $35,000 annually are still invited to report to the state. In our view at QHSUA, reporting expenditures at any income helps other municipalities, public health workers, and others understand how the money is being spent and can inspire innovative ways to address the opioid crisis.
Here is what the reporting report form looks like.
Here is a guide on how to use the reporting tool – click here to download PDF
- MAHB Guidance for cities and towns
- KP Law Guidance for cities and towns
- ARTICLE TO CREATE STABILIZATION FUND 1.14.23
- DRAFT WARRANT ARTICLE FOR FY 23 – 1.24.23
- Opioid Settlements Guidance Document 1.24.23
Not sure where to start?
The Commonwealth and its municipalities have a shared commitment to using abatement funds recovered from statewide opioid settlements to supplement and strengthen resources available to Massachusetts communities and families for substance use disorder prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. See the entire suggested approach in our PDF slide presented at the Ware Select Board meeting on 09-19-2023.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, who is one of our funders) has an evidenced-based resource center, available at this link.
Also, according to DPH: Massachusetts municipalities can access support from John Snow Research and Training Institute (JSI) at www.caremass.org and fill out the Request Help form or by emailing abate@jsi.com or by phone (617-385-3655). The team at JSI can provide technical assistance and training related to using these funds in compliance with the State-Subdivision Agreement. (See more here at DPH’s website)
Also, Mass Municipal Association (MMA) may be helpful, view their webpage here.
Questions? Please reach out to Emily Kirby at ekirby at townofware.com and Abaigeal Duda at aduda at townofware.com.