Ohio to begin doling out millions of dollars in opioid settlement money.

Ohio is ready to begin doling out millions of dollars in opioid settlement money to community and government organizations, an influx eagerly anticipated since the first sums were secured in 2021. The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is tasked with distributing over $860 million dollars in settlements reached with drug makers and pharmaceutical companies for their roles in the national opioid crisis and plans to release its formal request for proposals this week. Drug makers, wholesalers, pharmacies and other companies have agreed to settlements over the toll of opioids that are to pay state, local and Native American tribal governments more than $50 billion dollars. Under the agreements, most of the money is to be used to address the overdose epidemic. The foundation will allocate up to $51 million in its 2024 grant cycle for Ohio-based non-profits and government entities alike, who are “on the frontlines of Ohio’s opioid battle.” The program is the first of its kind in the United States.