Michigan Awards $3.75 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds for Youth Substance Use Prevention

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has awarded nearly $3.75 million to 12 organizations across the state to expand community-based programs that prevent substance use among school-age children. The grants, announced June 24, 2026, represent a strategic investment of Michigan's opioid settlement funds in early intervention and youth-focused prevention efforts.

This funding round targets a critical window in child development — the years before substance use typically begins — with the goal of building protective factors that can reduce the likelihood of future addiction.

Investing in Prevention

The awards reflect a growing recognition that the most effective response to the addiction crisis includes robust prevention efforts alongside treatment and recovery services. By focusing on school-age children, these programs aim to delay or prevent the initiation of substance use, which research shows significantly reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders later in life.

"Young people are more resilient when they have access to trusted adults, safe spaces and meaningful opportunities to build skills and confidence," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. "These investments will help communities strengthen protective factors and support healthier outcomes for kids and families."

The funding comes from Michigan's share of the national opioid settlement, which is expected to bring approximately $1.6 billion to the state by 2040. Half of these funds are distributed to the State of Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund, while the other half goes directly to county, city, and township governments.

The Grant Recipients

The 12 funded organizations span the state, from Southeast Michigan to the Upper Peninsula, reflecting MDHHS's commitment to reaching communities across diverse geographic and demographic landscapes.

Southeast Michigan Focus

Five of the 12 grant recipients are based in Southeast Michigan, including two organizations receiving the maximum award of $375,000:

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) of the Greater Detroit Area will expand its C.O.A.C.H. program, which combines basketball clinics with substance use education for boys ages 11 to 14. The program requires participants to attend educational classes as a condition of participating in sports activities. With the new funding, NCADD plans to expand the program to serve girls as well.

"They have clinics for them, they get to play basketball, but they have to agree to attend education classes," said NCADD Greater Detroit president and CEO Benjamin A. Jones. "I understand the attraction of sports and the benefits of coupling athletic activity with prevention activity."

The Youth Connection, also receiving $375,000, operates the Strengthening Families Program in Detroit. This evidence-based approach educates not only children but also their parents and caregivers — recognizing that family influence is one of the strongest protective factors against youth substance use.

"The purpose of the grant also is to use our families, and the parents, the caregivers, and community folks as ways in which they can help promote prevention," said The Youth Connection president and CEO Grenae Dudley.

Other Southeast Michigan recipients include Mariners Inn ($368,690), Oakwood Healthcare Inc. ($168,236), and Piast Institute ($125,000).

Addressing Emerging Challenges

The funded programs are designed to address the evolving landscape of youth substance use, including the rise of vaping and the normalization of marijuana in a state where adult use is legal.

"Vapes are a real challenge, especially in our schools and among our youth, and one of the things that they're vaping is nicotine," Dudley noted. She also highlighted the challenge of preventing youth marijuana use in a state where it's legal for adults over 21.

These grants allow prevention programs to update their curricula and approaches to address these contemporary risks while maintaining their core focus on building resilience and refusal skills among young people.

Why Early Prevention Matters

Research consistently shows that the earlier substance use begins, the greater the risk of developing a substance use disorder. According to MDHHS, early initiation of use is linked to higher likelihood of addiction, making prevention efforts that delay first use particularly valuable.

"Early initiation of use is also linked to a higher likelihood of developing a substance use disorder, so if we can delay that early initiation of use until at least 21 years old, then that decreases the risk," said Lisa Coleman, MDHHS Substance Use Prevention and Treatment section manager.

This neurobiological reality underpins the state's investment in youth-focused prevention. Adolescent brains are still developing, particularly the prefrontal cortex responsible for decision-making and impulse control. Substance use during this developmental window can have lasting effects on brain structure and function, increasing vulnerability to addiction.

What Families Can Expect

For Michigan families, these grants mean expanded access to prevention programming in their communities. The funded programs offer various entry points for families seeking to support their children's healthy development:

Sports-Based Programs: Organizations like NCADD demonstrate that prevention can be integrated into activities young people already enjoy. Parents can look for similar programs in their communities that combine athletic skill-building with substance use education.

Family-Focused Education: The Strengthening Families model recognizes that parents are the primary influence on their children's choices. These programs offer structured opportunities for families to learn together about communication, boundary-setting, and healthy decision-making.

Community Coalitions: Many prevention efforts work through local coalitions that bring together schools, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Parents can get involved in these coalitions to help shape prevention efforts in their areas.

The Broader Context

Michigan's investment in youth prevention through opioid settlement funds reflects a national shift toward comprehensive approaches to the addiction crisis. While much attention has focused on expanding treatment access and distributing naloxone to reverse overdoses, prevention remains the only strategy that can reduce the number of people who ever develop substance use disorders.

The state's approach also demonstrates the potential of opioid settlement funds to support upstream interventions. While some states have faced criticism for using settlement dollars to fill budget gaps or fund law enforcement, Michigan's targeted investment in youth prevention represents the kind of evidence-based abatement activity that the settlement was designed to support.

Looking Ahead

As these 12 organizations implement their funded programs over the coming year, MDHHS will be tracking outcomes to assess the effectiveness of different prevention approaches. This data will inform future funding decisions and help build the evidence base for youth substance use prevention.

For families concerned about youth substance use, the expansion of these programs offers new resources and support. Prevention is most effective when it involves the entire community — schools, families, healthcare providers, and local organizations working together to create environments where young people can thrive without turning to substances.

The $3.75 million investment may represent a small fraction of Michigan's total opioid settlement funds, but its focus on preventing the next generation from experiencing addiction could yield significant long-term returns for the state's public health.

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). For parents seeking prevention resources, the SAMHSA Talk. They Hear You. campaign offers tools for starting conversations with young people about substance use.