Greene County will distribute $257,822 in opioid settlement funds to six organizations that provide addiction prevention, treatment and recovery services.
The awards were approved through the Greene County Opioid Settlement Program, according to a community announcement. The county opened applications in July and received 17 proposals from organizations serving Greene County, with applicants eligible to request up to $50,000.
The funding comes from national opioid settlements involving drug distributors, manufacturers and pharmacy chains. Greene County is among 98 Missouri counties participating in the settlements, which could provide as much as $900 million to Missouri and participating local governments over 18 years.
The six organizations selected
for funding are:
- NAMI Southwest Missouri, $50,000, to continue and expand the NAMI Recovery Connections Initiative, which provides support, education and advocacy for people and families affected by mental illness.
- Greene County Treatment Court, $50,000, to support medication-assisted treatment and integrate it into the court's treatment court program.
- Springfield Victory Mission, $50,000, for recovery services for men in its shelter, transitional shelter and Restoration Program, including case management, counseling, drug testing and overdose education.
- Community Partnership of the Ozarks, $47,822, for the Greene County Medication Safety Initiative, which includes Generation Rx prevention programming, naloxone response training and distribution of medication disposal and overdose reversal resources.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, $30,000, to expand substance misuse prevention efforts through the SMART Moves and Positive Action programs and purchase vape-detection technology for the Risdal Family Teen Center.
- Good Dads, $30,000, for its Recovery and Restoration for Good Dads program, which provides parenting and conflict-resolution classes as well as transportation assistance, child care and meals for fathers and couples affected by addiction.
"These six organizations are already doing the hard work of helping our neighbors prevent, treat and recover from addiction. These awards put settlement dollars to work right here in Greene County, where they can save lives and strengthen families," Bob Dixon, presiding commissioner, said in the announcement.
Opioid overdose deaths remain a concern
The opioid settlement funding follows years of overdose-related deaths across Missouri and Greene County.
More than 24,600 Missourians have died from drug overdoses during the past 20 years. In 2023, the state recorded 1,948 overdose deaths, with opioids involved in more than 70% of those fatalities, according to the announcement.
Greene County recorded 581 drug intoxication deaths over the past five years. According to the announcement, most involved opioids alone or in combination with other drugs.
More information about the program is available at greenecountymo.gov.
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This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Greene County awards 6 organizations addiction recovery funds
