$25 Million In Opioid Grant Funding Announced By Suffolk

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — The first round of opioid grant funding — $25 million — was announced by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone on Monday.

The funds will be available to community groups, non-profits, and county agencies that apply for it, with the condition that the grant money is used for programs related to the prevention and treatment of opioid addiction, as well as other strategies.

The funding comes from the county's lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors.

Bellone also released a guidance document compiled by the opioid settlement task force which outlines short-term and long-term goals. The executive also said the coronavirus pandemic caused an increase in fatal overdoses.

“After years of incredible progress and work to stem the tide on this epidemic, the pandemic created unprecedented circumstances of fear, isolation, and anxiety that led to an increase in fatal overdoses,” Bellone said. “While no amount of money can bring back the lives lost to this devastation, thanks to the County’s landmark lawsuits, we now have new funding to assist our communities and beat back this epidemic that has plagued our region for far too long.”

The application process is open to any entity, including non-profits, healthcare systems, and public and private agencies, that provide services in relation to the opioid epidemic, including, prevention, education, treatment, and recovery. Agencies can submit proposals to address the opioid crisis through the expansion of existing programs, the establishment of new programs, as well as proposals that encourage innovation.

A selection panel, including Bellone, will review the applications in conjunction with substance use disorder experts at the Suffolk Health Department.

Last year, Bellone convened an intra-agency committee tasked with developing priorities related to the settlement agreements the county is receiving from opioid distributors, manufacturers and pharmacies. The committee communicated with key stakeholders in the substance abuse community and families of addicts, addicts in recovery, victims’ advocates and other people with meaningful experience related to surviving the opioid epidemic.

“Everyone, including myself, knows someone who has been affected by the opioid epidemic," Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey said. "No family, especially those who have lost a loved one, should have to suffer the pain caused by opioid addiction. All the money in the world won’t bring back a loved one. However, this money will help ensure that others may be spared the terrible ordeal brought on by drug addiction.”

The guidance document outlines the need to focus the settlement dollars in the areas where there are currently the most significant gaps in care and where there is the greatest potential for a positive change in outcomes, including prevention and harm reduction, treatment and recovery.

The task force recommended usig opioid funding to help accelerate the integration of mental health and substance use disorder treatment, along with prioritizing underserved communities, including the East End of Long Island and certain communities of color. The selection committee will use the task force’s report as a guidance document when selecting applicants for funding.

Suffolk County was the first county in New York state to sue drug makers in connection with the opioid crisis. The county has since reached settlement agreements with major opioid distributors and retail pharmacies.