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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio is set to begin handing out millions of dollars in opioid settlement funds to community and government organizations, with the flow being eagerly anticipated after the first funds were secured in 2021.
OneOhio Recovery Foundation, which is tasked with distributing the more than $860 million settlements reached with drug manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. Their roles in the national opioid crisisIt plans to release its formal request for proposals on Monday.
Drug manufacturers, wholesalers, pharmacies and other companies have agreed to a settlement on opioid tolls that will require state, local and Native American tribal governments to pay more than $50 billion. Under the agreements, most of the money is to be used to combat the overdose epidemic.
The foundation will allocate up to $51 million in its 2024 grant cycle to Ohio-based nonprofit, for-profit and government entities that are “on the front lines of Ohio’s opioid fight.” This program is the first of its kind in the United States.
Those applying must still adhere to certain criteria outlined by OneOhio, including that all programs and services offered must be “evidence-based, forward-looking strategies for prevention, treatment, (and) recovery support services.”
Eligible projects can last one, two or three years and must be regionally focused. Registration will start from Monday and applications will be submitted till May 3.
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OneOhio Executive Director Alisha Nelson said in a press release that the foundation understands how urgently there is a need to distribute the settlement funds as the state continues to feel the effects of the opioid epidemic.
“After months of carefully developing this first program, we look forward to seeing the innovative ideas presented to respond to the pandemic in every corner of the state,” Nelson said.
The foundation is registered as a private nonprofit organization, although it was launched in 2021 by Republican Governor Mike DeWine and GOP Attorney General Dave Yost. It is governed by a 29-member statewide board, many of whom are state legislators and appointees. number of state officials, but also includes addiction specialists from across Ohio.
Last summer, DeWine appointed Nelson as the foundation’s first permanent executive director.
DeWine said last year, “After careful consideration, I chose Alisha for this role because I know she will intentionally use these settlement funds to help Ohioans struggling with substance abuse disorders for years to come.” “Agrees with my point of view.”
Samantha Hendrickson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. report for usa is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Copyright 2024 The associated Press, All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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