Evansville to award $1.3M in opioid settlement funds
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry on Monday issued a request for proposals for $1.3 million in opioid settlement funds. The funding will be used to help address issues related to the opioid crisis in the Evansville area.
The funding comes from Indiana’s share of the $54 billion federal settlement agreement reached in 2021 with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers. The $1.3 million figure includes funds left over from the city’s 2023 allocation and its entire allocation for 2024.
In total, the city has received more than $940,000 in restricted funds, which must be used for opioid addiction, treatment and harm reduction purposes, the city said in a news release. An additional $371,000 in unrestricted funds can be used for non-opioid purposes.
However, Terry said it is the city’s intention to use the entire funding toward programs dealing with the opioid crisis.
“As of today, we are requesting proposals for projects and programs that can make an impact on the opioid crisis in our community,” Terry said in the release. “This includes proposals for education and prevention, harm reduction, enforcement, treatment, and any other areas that might make a difference fighting opioids in our community.”
Last year, the city allocated more than $645,000 to Youth First Inc. and Forefront Therapy.
“We’re grateful for the exceptional work that Youth First and Forefront Therapy are doing in fighting the opioid epidemic at its roots,” Terry said. “These funds will allow us to build on their work as we continue moving Evansville forward.”
Applications for funding are due by May 15, and can be found on the city’s website.