The state commission that studied what to do with Alabama’s more than $200 million in opioid lawsuit settlement funds released its recommendations Tuesday.
And Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, filed legislation to distribute $30 million in funds this year. The bill will be in the House General Fund budget committee, chaired by Reynolds, today. Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, has filed the Senate version. It will be in the General Fund budget committee he chairs today.
“The opioid epidemic’s devastating impact on our state becomes more and more visible with every day that passes, and it’s our responsibility as lawmakers to do all that we can to fight this deadly disease,” Reynolds said in a written statement. “Alabama’s allocation of opioid settlement dollars presents an opportunity to fight addiction, provide additional recovery resources and save lives.”
House Bill 479’s allocations include:
- $20.51 million for the Department of Mental Health;
- $5.49 million for the Board of Pardons and Paroles;
- $8.06 to prevention, treatment and recovery grants;
- $3 million to the 988 Crisis Line;
- $3 million to a veteran’s pilot program through a RFP process;
- $2.3 million to the recovery and facility services, including housing and
transitional spaces for those suffering from substance abuse disorders; - $1.515 million to the substance abuse disorder (SUD) treatment and services for women;
- $1 million for the Department of Corrections to support the implementation or expansion of medication for opioid use disorders;
- $1 million to mental health courts;
- $1 million for Auburn University to expand the School of Pharmacy, K-12 Education Program and Pharmacy Training related to substance abuse;
- $1 million for the University of Alabama at Birmingham for residencies in psychiatry related to the study and treatment of substance abuse.
During four public hearings late last year and earlier this year, the Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds, chaired by Reynolds and Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, heard from 44 agencies and groups providing services related to the prevention, treatment and recovery of opioid addiction in Alabama.
“The Opioid Settlement Fund Oversight Commission has lived up to its commitment to distributing settlement dollars in impactful ways,” Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell said in a written statement. “The plan prioritizes prevention, treatment and recovery efforts, so more Alabamians can access essential, life-savings services. That being said, if you or your loved one needs immediate assistance, call or text 988 – Alabama’s access point to mental health and substance use services.”
Alabama Daily News’ Mary Sell contributed to this report.