Amid Drop in Overdose Deaths, Allegheny County Reports on Opioid Settlement Funding Allocations & Announces Open Call for Proposals
PITTSBURGH – Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato announced $20 million in opioid settlement fund investments to combat the opioid epidemic. As part of national settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors, these funds present a rare opportunity to invest in creative and effective responses to the epidemic. The County also released a new open solicitation, designed to make it easier for individuals and organizations to share their ideas for investing settlement dollars.
County Executive Sara Innamorato said, “Combatting substance use disorder with compassion and effective interventions is a priority for me and my administration. Transparency is crucial in spending these settlement dollars, and we want people to be aware of the initiatives Allegheny County is embarking on. These projects will support individuals struggling with opioid use disorder and their families and communities looking for services.”
The County will direct this latest round of settlement funding toward evidence-based initiatives informed by community listening sessions. “With this investment, we now have an additional $20 million out on the street — going directly toward efforts to combat the opioid epidemic,” said Erin Dalton, Director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS). “These critical investments will fill gaps that we heard about directly from the community – including that people will have access to medication assisted treatment not only in the community but also in the jail, and that people can receive housing supports to help them sustain their recovery.”
Key investments include:
- Expanding access to low-barrier, high-quality, evidence-based medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder
- Supporting treatment programs within the Allegheny County Jail, including continuity of care post-release
- Increasing services in highly impacted communities, such as mobile units for wound care and medication assisted treatment, harm reduction services, and targeted interventions for those at highest risk
- Expanding supportive housing options for individuals with opioid use disorder
Allegheny County began receiving opioid settlement funds in 2022 and expects to receive a median payment of approximately $7.2 million per year through 2038. These funds must be used for prevention, treatment, recovery, and other approved uses defined in the national settlement guidelines. DHS is now accepting proposals for additional ideas through an open solicitation that a diverse committee will review quarterly.
The announcement comes as Allegheny County sees promising signs of progress in the fight against opioid overdose. In 2017, the County lost over 800 residents to overdoses—the highest local number on record. Since then, the County has focused investments on treatment, aftercare and harm reduction. While not yet finalized, preliminary data from 2024 show a significant decrease in overdose deaths.
“Overdose deaths on a decline are a turning point – a test of our collective will – and a rare opportunity to build momentum to avoid preventable deaths of Allegheny County residents,” said Dr. Iulia Vann, Director, Allegheny County Health Department. “The drop in overdose deaths tells us that progress is possible, but it’s not permanent without purpose. These investments are not just about treatment - they’re about dignity, equity, and meeting people where they are. Guided by data and community voices, we’re committing to solutions that save lives and strengthen recovery.”
To view overdose trends, community feedback, and the open solicitation, visit: alleghenycounty.us/OpioidSettlement
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