Community Access

Can I provide input on spending?

• 90-100% Opioid Abatement Fund share: Yes (required). Under D.C. law, a primary purpose of the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (OAAC) is to “[p]rioritize and facilitate public involvement, accountability, and transparency in allocating and accounting for [opioid settlement] monies.”[1] The OAAC is required by law to hold public meetings at least quarterly,[2] though in practice it has convened more frequently. Meeting minutes from the OAAC show that it has included time for public comments prior to the adjournment of each meeting, with members of the community participating both in person and virtually. OAAC meetings must be held in compliance with D.C’s Open Meetings Act.[3] The OAAC’s first meeting was held on October 25, 2023.

  • Opioid Abatement Public Forum. The OAAC has also held public forums to hear “the public’s suggestions, lessons, and other information on how to address the opioid epidemic in the District” and to share information with the public about current funding opportunities.[4]

• 0-10% Litigation Support Fund share: No opportunities available (not required). The District has not established recurring opportunities for the public to provide input on uses of this 10% share.[5]

Can I apply for grants?

Yes. D.C. has previously established settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations were eligible to apply. Visit the Opioid Settlement Community Grants Portals (OpioidSettlementTracker.com and Legal Action Center) for the most up-to-date information on settlement grant opportunities for community organizations.

Where do I go for updates?

• For updates on the Opioid Abatement Fund share, visit the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission’s website, which includes information on its previous and upcoming meetings.

• A single resource containing Litigation Support Fund share updates could not be found.[6]

What else should I know?

The D.C. law establishing the Office of Opioid Abatement within the Department of Behavioral Health requires the Office to maintain a public website to host expenditure details, annual reports, and other critical information.[7] As of September 1, 2024, this website could not be found.

Citations

1. D.C. Code Sec. 7-3212(b)(2). ↑

2. D.C. Code Sec. 7-3212(f). ↑

3. D.C. Code Sec. 7-3212(f). Note that the D.C. Open Meetings Act does not give the public a right to comment at public meetings. ↑

4. Opioid Abatement Public Forum. Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission and Office of Opioid Abatement. April 24, 2024; Opioid Abatement Public Forum II. Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission and Office of Opioid Abatement. May 8, 2024. See also Upcoming Meetings of the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. D.C. Department of Behavioral Health website. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑

5. If you see this change, email [e-mail]. There is no legal requirement for decision-makers to seek public input on uses of this share. ↑

6. If you see this change, email [e-mail]. ↑

7. D.C. Code Sec. 7-3213(b)(9)(A)-(E). ↑