This information was compiled based on information from publicly available legislation, state memorandums or executive orders, state websites, and press releases, as well as supplemental interviews with state officials with a role in administering opioid settlement funding.
It offers a snapshot of settlement spending and priorities at the state level (e.g., funding administered by state agencies or designated statewide abatement funds) as well as laws, agreements, and processes that the state has established for allocating funds. NASHP does not track spending at the local or county level, but includes any relevant state-level reports or dashboards that capture local spending within a state. For details on the definitions used here, check out the definitions at the bottom of this page. You can also get an overview of opioid settlement decisions in all states.
Settlement Spending Status
Background
The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) distributes settlement funding from the state’s Opioid Abatement Fund, which holds the largest share of the state’s settlement funding. OAA publishes annual reports that highlight award amounts and project descriptions of awardees receiving grant funding and more regularly publishes news and updates related to settlement spending and OAA activities. The OAA dashboard also holds detailed information on grants to cities, counties, and state agencies, as well as performance measures by grantees to date.
Has the state awarded settlement funds?
Yes. According to the 2024 Annual Report, OAA has awarded over $47 million to cities and counties across the state and an additional $19.5 million to state agencies. The report features descriptions and amounts for each award and highlights several specific projects from cities, counties, and state agencies. The report also details the Operation STOP (Specifically Targeted Overdose Prevention) grant program, which is unique in that it is only open to select cities and counties experiencing disparate rates of overdose among certain populations and requires applicants to partner with a community-based organization to implement proposed projects.
Has the state announced priorities or recommendations for spending?
Yes. The Code of Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority article lays out several priorities to be considered when awarding settlement funding to proposed efforts. These priorities include efforts that collaborate with an existing program or organization that has an established record of success treating, preventing, or reducing opioid use disorder; serve communities with a high incidence of opioid use disorder or death rate relative to population; serve historically economically disadvantaged communities; or include a monetary match from or on behalf of the applicant.
Previous spending details
According to the 2023 Annual Report, OAA awarded over $23.5 million in grants to 86 cities and counties in Virginia, with a portion of funding reaching every region across the state. Regional projects largely fund expansion of treatment services (e.g., development of treatment centers and mobile outreach efforts) and investments in long-term solutions (e.g., conducting needs assessments and advancing data collection). Individual grants fund smaller, more local-level projects, such as hiring a peer recovery specialist and launching a prevention campaign. OAA has also provided planning grants for cities and counties to develop long-term opioid abatement strategies for their communities.
Statewide reporting of local spending
Not applicable.
State Settlement Website or Dashboard
Spending Plans and Agreements
Process for Settlement Disbursement
Legislation gives the authority to make grant awards and disbursements from the 55 percent Virginia Opioid Abatement Fund to an Opioid Abatement Authority. The 15 percent state share must be appropriated through the state’s regular budget process but may only be spent on approved opioid abatement and remediation uses. The remaining 30 percent is distributed directly to the commonwealth’s 95 counties and 38 independent cities (i.e., subdivisions).
State and Political Subdivision Split
Structure
Abatement-Fund Controlled (>50 percent of funding controlled by statewide abatement fund)
Allocation Formula
15 percent state, 30 percent subdivisions, 55 percent Virginia Opioid Abatement Fund
Role of Advisory Committee
The Opioid Abatement Authority has authority to make spending decisions for the Opioid Abatement Fund money, but it must submit an annual report on its fund activity to the governor and legislature.
