PHX Reporter

Maricopa County is allocating approximately $4.3 million from opioid settlement funds to aid 17 local organizations in their efforts to combat substance use and its impacts on the community. This initiative aims to bolster prevention, treatment, harm reduction interventions, recovery support, and care coordination services.

"The opioid and polysubstance use crisis continues to impact families across Maricopa County, and these funds allow us to take meaningful action," stated Thomas Galvin, Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for District 2. "By providing more resources to organizations who are on the front lines of this battle, we are building a stronger, more coordinated response to help those affected."

The funding aligns with the One Arizona Distribution of Opioid Settlement Funds Agreement. It will enhance services at three existing recipient organizations while supporting 14 new ones. Contracts commence on April 1, 2025, with potential renewals for up to four years pending approval by the Board of Supervisors.

Projects funded under this initiative adhere to Maricopa County’s Substance Use Prevention & Response Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 2024-2028. The county's strategy emphasizes evidence-based solutions that address immediate needs and foster long-term resilience in communities heavily impacted by the opioid crisis.

Contracts were awarded through a competitive bidding process. An upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) in April 2025 will seek a provider to expand business-focused substance use toolkits and deliver technical assistance across various organizational sizes within Maricopa County.

A list detailing current projects funded by Maricopa County Opioid Settlement Funds is available online. Besides Maricopa County itself, most cities and towns within it also receive opioid settlement funds. For detailed information about settlement spending in both county and state levels, refer to the Arizona Attorney General’s website.

For further details about ongoing programs or overdose data related updates on the settlement can be found at maricopa.gov/SubstanceUse.