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
South Dakota’s Department of Social Services (DSS), advised by the South Dakota Opioid Abuse Advisory Committee, is responsible for disbursing funds from the state share of settlement funding. In the 2024 Annual Report on Federal Opioid Funding and National Opioid Settlement, DSS and the Department of Health outline disbursements of state opioid settlement funding in addition to federal opioid funding.
Has the state awarded settlement funds?
Yes. A 2024 Annual Report details settlement funds allocated by the Opioid Abuse Advisory Committee and expended through contracts and grant programs held by DSS. Projects allocated funding include an overdose follow-up program that connects non-fatal overdose survivors to resources, a program sustainability fund, a prescription drug monitoring program, a community grant program, naloxone for businesses, and administrative costs. The spring 2024 cycle of the DSS’ Community Grant Program awarded $362,242 in state settlement funding across 11 projects.
Has the state announced priorities or recommendations for spending?
Yes. The 2024 Annual Report goes in depth on South Dakota’s strategic plan and analysis of efforts to combat the opioid crisis. Within the four overarching goals and strategies of prevention and early identification, treatment and recovery, reducing illicit supply, and responding to opioid misuse and abuse, the report outlines accomplishments, current activities, future plans, key outcomes, and metrics related to the category. Though this strategic plan stands to inform all opioid-related funding coming to the state, it also guides settlement allocation decisions from the committee.
Previous spending details
Not applicable.
Statewide reporting of local spending
Not applicable.
State Settlement Website or Dashboard
Spending Plans and Agreements
Process for Settlement Disbursement
A memorandum of agreement gives control of the state share of funding to the Department of Social Services and creates an advisory committee to make spending recommendations to the secretary of the department. The secretary must provide a public, written explanation to the advisory committee if they “substantially deviate” from the committee’s recommendations. This committee is an expanded version of an opioid advisory committee that existed in the state prior to the settlement.
State and Political Subdivision Split
Structure
State-Controlled (>50 percent of funding controlled by states)
Allocation Formula
70 percent state, 30 percent participating local governments
Role of Advisory Committee
The advisory committee makes recommendations to the Department of Social Services.
