KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee's Opioid Abatement Council announced a second round of funding for community grants Tuesday, according to the Tennessee State Government.
The council said it would add $20 million for approved opioid remediation activities to the tens of millions of dollars that are already flowing to provide services across the entire state. The money comes from lawsuits against opioid companies and pharmacies, accused of distributing millions of opioid medicines and effectively enabling addictions.
"According to legislation passed by the Tennessee General Assembly, these proceeds are first split with 15% going to the state and 15% going to county governments and 70% going to the Opioid Abatement Trust Fund," the opioid abatement council said.
It also said the money in the trust fund is split again with 35% going straight to the counties approved for opioid abatement activities and 65% going to the Opioid Abatement Council for community grant applications. The largest percentage of the funds is made available through a
"competitive" grant application process.
"This second funding opportunity follows more than $78 million in community grants awarded by the council earlier this year," TNSG said. "Contracts for those grants are in place, and initial funds have been issued to pay for services. The council has also made two rounds of payments from the Opioid Abatement Trust Fund to county governments in 2023 and 2024 totaling $62 million to fund their approved remediation activities."
TNSG said applicants interested in submitting proposals to the council can do so through its website. The portal will be open for groups to submit proposals November 12 through December 13.
During the first round of funding, the council said it gave out around $81 million to organizations across the state like East Tennessee State University, the Metro Drug Coalition and the Helen Ross McNabb Center for programs that would treat substance abuse and prevention efforts. A full list of the community grants given out in March 2024 is available online.
