Investments will strengthen local opioid response efforts, expand peer recovery services, and support prevention and housing resources

Richmond, VA – October 28, 2026 — The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) has approved $689,634 in opioid settlement fund awards to support local programs and services addressing opioid use disorder and substance use across the Commonwealth.

The awards, approved by the OAA Grants Committee at its September 25, 2026 meeting, support Fiscal Year 2027 initiatives in Botetourt and Loudoun counties and the cities of Norfolk, Salem, and Suffolk. The investments will help communities implement local opioid abatement plans, strengthen coordination and oversight, and connect individuals and families with treatment and recovery resources.

“Effective opioid abatement starts with understanding what each community needs and giving local partners the resources to respond,” said Senator Todd Pillion, Chair of the OAA Board of Directors. “These investments will help communities put their plans into action, connect more people with recovery support, and make sure settlement dollars are managed carefully to deliver lasting results.”

With these awards, the OAA has awarded a total of $160,924,274 to cities, counties and state agencies since it first made funding opportunities available in 2023.

Each of the five projects grew out of an OAA-supported local planning effort. Together, they reflect how communities are translating strategic plans into services and building the capacity to sustain their opioid abatement work.

Projects approved for funding include:

• Botetourt County — OAA Grants and Recovery Court Docket Coordinator: Funding will supplement a separate Special Docket Grants Program award to support a coordinator responsible for OAA grants management and recovery court docket coordination. Total Fiscal Year 2027 Award: $34,152.00
• Loudoun County — Opioid and Substance Use Data and Implementation Analyst: A full-time management analyst will help implement the county’s five-year Opioid Coordination Strategic Plan through project management, data analysis, performance measurement, grant monitoring, and coordination with community partners. Total Fiscal Year 2027 Award: $147,175.60
• Norfolk — Opioid Response Staffing Initiative: Funding will support a project manager and accountant to strengthen implementation, fiscal oversight, and grants administration for the city’s opioid response efforts. The positions will also improve coordination among city departments, public safety agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Total Fiscal Year 2027 Award: $221,894.07
• Salem — Opioid Abatement Initiative: Prevention and Recovery Resources: The initiative will support post-overdose peer recovery outreach, connections to treatment, recovery housing scholarships, transitional housing assistance for specialty court participants, and faith-based prevention education. Total Fiscal Year 2027 Award: $128,812.50
• Suffolk — Peer Recovery Specialist: A certified peer recovery specialist will provide recovery coaching, treatment navigation, connections to harm reduction services, and assistance addressing housing and transportation barriers. The position will also strengthen coordination through Suffolk’s Behavioral Health Multidisciplinary Team. Total Fiscal Year 2027 Award: $157,600.00

Funding for OAA grants and awards results from Virginia’s participation in national settlements with prescription opioid manufacturers, distributors, and other companies. Established by the General Assembly in 2021, OAA awards efforts to treat, prevent, and reduce opioid use disorder and opioid misuse across the Commonwealth. Its funding supports partnerships among state agencies, cities and counties, and service providers to advance prevention, treatment, and recovery.

OAA awards are made one year at a time due to the timing of settlement payments estimated to arrive each year and require a renewal application to be considered for continuation into the next performance period. Competitive awardees (Cooperative Partnership and State Agency projects) have the option to request up to four, one-year renewals. All renewals are contingent on maintaining compliance with OAA’s terms and conditions and progress on the award's objectives. Projects that do not request, or are not approved, for renewal conclude at the end of their current performance period.

For more information contact info@voaa.us.

MEDIA CONTACT

Stephanie Heinatz
Consociate Media for the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority
757-713-2199
stephanie@consociatemedia.com