Virginia Awards Record $35.2 Million in Opioid Settlement Grants to Combat Addiction Crisis

The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) has approved the largest single round of grant awards in its history, directing more than $35.2 million to communities across the Commonwealth to fight the ongoing opioid and substance use crisis. The funding, approved on June 15, 2026, will support 150 distinct projects ranging from residential treatment programs to mobile outreach services.

This announcement brings the OAA's total investment to over $150 million since its establishment in 2021, demonstrating Virginia's sustained commitment to addressing addiction through evidence-based, community-driven solutions.

Breaking Down the Investment

The Fiscal Year 2027 awards represent a significant expansion of Virginia's opioid settlement fund deployment. The OAA received 157 applications and ultimately funded 150 projects, reflecting both high demand for services and the authority's ability to support a broad range of initiatives.

The awards break down as follows:

• 64 Individual Distribution projects: Including 13 new initiatives and 51 renewals of successful existing programs
• 79 Cooperative Partnership projects: Comprising 21 new partnerships and 58 renewed collaborations
• 7 Operation STOP! projects: All renewals focused on communities where fatal overdoses disproportionately affect Black residents

"Behind every one of these awards is a community that refused to accept the status quo," said Senator Todd Pillion, Chair of the OAA Board of Directors. "Virginia continues to lead the nation with its opioid settlement fund investments which are doing exactly what they were intended to do — reach people where they are, expand access to the treatment and recovery they need, and give local leaders the resources to solve problems they know better than anyone."

What's Being Funded

The grants support a comprehensive approach to the addiction crisis, spanning prevention, treatment, recovery support, harm reduction, workforce development, and criminal justice diversion. Notable investments include:

Treatment and Recovery Services

Multiple projects focus on expanding access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, which combine FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine and methadone with counseling and behavioral therapies. The funding also supports recovery housing initiatives and peer recovery support programs that connect individuals in recovery with trained mentors who have lived experience with addiction.

A particularly significant investment is the establishment of Virginia's first regional residential treatment program specifically for adolescents in Northern Virginia. This addresses a critical gap in care, as adolescent treatment options have historically been limited across the state.

Mobile and Outreach Services

Several funded programs will deploy mobile units providing medications for opioid and substance use disorders, therapy, outreach, and harm reduction services. These mobile units are especially vital for rural communities where transportation barriers and provider shortages often prevent individuals from accessing care.

Prevention and Education

The awards include support for three regional recovery high schools located in Chesapeake, Chesterfield, and Waynesboro. These specialized schools allow students in recovery to pursue their education in a supportive environment that prioritizes their continued sobriety.

Youth prevention programs also receive significant funding, recognizing that early intervention is key to reducing future substance use disorders.

Harm Reduction

Naloxone distribution efforts are funded across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring that this life-saving overdose reversal medication remains widely available. The OAA's Operation STOP! (Specifically Targeted Overdose Prevention) program continues its focus on communities experiencing disproportionate overdose deaths among Black residents, partnering with community-based organizations to implement both immediate interventions and long-term solutions.

Criminal Justice Diversion

Multiple recovery court initiatives receive funding, including specialized courts for behavioral health, treatment, and veterans. These programs offer eligible individuals the opportunity to receive treatment and support services instead of incarceration, addressing the intersection of substance use and the criminal justice system.

Specialized Populations

The funding round includes targeted support for pregnant and parenting women, recognizing the unique challenges this population faces in accessing treatment. Workforce development initiatives designed to help individuals in recovery achieve long-term stability and employment also receive support.

The National Context

Virginia's approach to opioid settlement funds stands out nationally. While some states have faced criticism for using settlement dollars to fill budget gaps or fund law enforcement rather than treatment and prevention, Virginia has maintained a focused commitment to abatement activities through the OAA's structured grant process.

The $35.2 million award represents a significant increase from previous rounds, reflecting both the growing availability of settlement funds and the demonstrated success of Virginia's community-based model. By requiring local matching funds for some grant categories and emphasizing regional partnerships, the OAA has created a sustainable framework for addressing the crisis.

What This Means for Families

For Virginia families affected by substance use disorders, this funding round brings several tangible benefits:

Expanded Treatment Access: New residential treatment slots, particularly for adolescents, mean more options for families seeking care for young people struggling with addiction.

Mobile Services: Mobile treatment units bring care directly to underserved communities, reducing the transportation barriers that often prevent individuals from accessing services.

Recovery Support: Peer recovery support initiatives connect individuals with mentors who understand the recovery journey firsthand, providing guidance and encouragement that complements clinical treatment.

Harm Reduction: Continued naloxone distribution programs ensure that families have access to overdose reversal medication, a critical safety tool for households where opioid use is a concern.

Recovery Schools: For families with teenagers in recovery, the expansion of recovery high schools provides educational options that support rather than jeopardize their child's sobriety.

Looking Ahead

The OAA's public dashboard allows residents to track how opioid settlement funds are being spent across the Commonwealth, providing transparency and accountability for these significant investments. The authority has indicated that future funding rounds will continue to prioritize evidence-based programs with demonstrated outcomes.

As Virginia implements these 150 new and renewed projects, the state will be watching key metrics: overdose death rates, treatment admission numbers, naloxone distribution and use, and long-term recovery outcomes. The goal is not just to spend settlement dollars, but to measurably reduce the harm caused by the opioid crisis.

For families currently navigating the challenges of addiction, the expansion of services funded through this announcement represents hope — more treatment beds, more outreach workers, more recovery coaches, and more pathways to sustained recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, help is available. The SAMHSA National Helpline provides free, confidential treatment referral and information 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).