Community Access

Can I provide input on spending?

• 50% state share: No opportunities available (not required). The state has not established recurring opportunities for the public to provide input on uses of its collective 50% share.[1] FAQs from the NextLevel Recovery website state that “questions regarding the use of Indiana's 35% appropriation for abatement” should be directed to the Office of Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement at [e-mail].[2]

• 50% local share: Up to each locality (not required). Local governments are not required to seek public input on uses of their shares. However, each may choose to seek such input. For example, the Valparaiso City Council invited public attendance and comment at an Opioid Solutions Forum it hosted in early 2023 to “gather information for the use of funding” from its settlement with Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson.[3] Watch for other opportunities to weigh in on city and county spending decisions, such as city council meetings and town halls.

Can I apply for grants?

Yes. Indiana has previously established settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations are eligible to apply. You can view current and past funding opportunities on the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction’s Funding Information page. Local governments also may create grant programs to distribute their share of funds. The existence, parameters, and processes for local settlement grant programs will vary by locality, so stay alert for new opportunities. 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 state and local shares, visit the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) NextLevel Recovery: Opioid Settlements and the Indiana Attorney General’s Opioid Settlement & Litigation websites and sign up for the FSSA Division of Mental Health Addiction’s and Attorney General’s email lists.

• For updates on specific local shares, a good starting point is to check the website for your county board of commissioners or county council, city council, town council, or local health department.

What else should I know?

Not applicable.

Citations

1. 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. ↑

2. Opioid Settlement (“Who is the point of contact?”). NextLevel Recovery Indiana website. Accessed September 1, 2024 (“House Enrolled Act 1193 defines the responsibilities of involved state agencies” vis-à-vis this share). ↑

3. Valparaiso City Council to Host Opioid Solutions Forum. City of Valparaiso press release. January 13, 2023. Accessed September 1, 2024. ↑