Counties and litigating subdivisions across Pennsylvania are responsible for managing opioid settlement funds. Yet, many may not have all of the resources and support they need. IRETA developed this page to connect you to resources, tools, and real-world examples that can help you plan, track, and communicate the impact of your settlement-funded initiatives.
Following the nationwide settlements to resolve all opioid litigation brought by states and local political subdivisions against the pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers, states, counties, and litigating subdivisions across the US are receiving opioid settlement funds (OSF). The guidelines established for these funds aimed to ensure that a majority of the funds are used to reduce the harms associated with opioid use and address the factors contributing to the national overdose crisis. “Exhibit E” describes “core abatement strategies” that were considered as approved uses for these funds.
In Pennsylvania, 70% of these funds are being managed by counties and 15% by litigating subdivisions (cities and other organizations that were involved in the lawsuits), and the remaining 15% by the state. Yet, counties and local governments responsible for managing these funds may not have all of the resources and support they need to manage these funds to ensure that their investments reduce overdose risks and harms associated with substance use. IRETA developed this page to help counties and local government entities connect with trusted tools, resources, and real-world examples.
Administering opioid settlement funds can present challenges for local governments that include identifying needs, planning, selecting the right interventions and programs, contracting with organizations, incorporating community perspectives and priorities, monitoring and evaluating programs, and more. IRETA understands, and staff have worked with folks around the country struggling with similar challenges. The resources below can help you:
- Identify the needs in your community
- Develop clear and measurable goals for your settlement investments
- Design fair and transparent decision-making processes
- Establish a process to monitor and track results
- Communicate progress and outcomes to the public
About Opioid Settlement Funds in Pennsylvania
Opioid Settlement Guides
The opioid settlement guides explain how each state receives and allocates opioid settlement funds. The goal is to educate community advocates so that they may effectively understand and engage with their states’ and localities’ opioid settlement planning and spending processes.
Pennsylvania Opioid Settlement Data
Developed by researchers from the Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University this website shares information about the distribution of opioid settlement funds and how these funds are being used in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust
Visit the website of the Pennsylvania Opioid Settlement Trust for information about its function, meetings, and other resources.
Resources and Tools
Opioid Settlement Principles Resource and Indicators (OSPRI)
OSPRI is an interactive tool designed to help jurisdictions invest settlement funds in strategies proven to reduce overdose deaths. It is associated with the Opioid Settlement Principles published by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
National Association of Counties Opioid Solutions Center
A hub for counties that administer settlement funds. The National Association of Counties (NACo) offers quick guides, sample spending frameworks, communications templates, and governance models.
Michigan Association of Counties Opioid Settlement Resource Center
A practical reference for county officials, with examples of readiness assessments, allocation frameworks, and transparency practices.
Overdose Measures Matter
Developed by the CDC Foundation, Overdose Measures Matter offers standardized indicators to help communities and funders measure progress in overdose prevention. The resource promotes equitable, data-driven approaches to harm reduction, care linkage, and stigma reduction.
Real World Examples
Below are a few real-world examples to which IRETA staff has contributed.
Bernalillo County, NM developed a strategic plan that included a rapid landscape assessment and community engagement plan.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services developed a publicly accessible opioid settlement spend plan.
North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) developed an Opioid Settlements Technical Assistance Center for its counties
IRETA Can Help
The materials listed above are just some of the resources available to help local governments. If you need more support, IRETA can help your team:
- Identify where overdoses and risks are occurring and the residents who are affected by substance use;
- Select the right interventions and strategies and know how and why they are effective;
- Design implementation plans for funded programs;
- Monitor and evaluate programs and activities that were delivered with the funds;
- Communicate what changed (increased or decreased) as a result of your collaborative efforts.
IRETA’s mission is to help people respond effectively to substance and related problems. Helping counties and local governments to use their opioid settlement funds to respond effectively to the overdose crisis is another way we meet our mission.
For more information about how we can assist you, feel free to email, call, or fill out the contact form below.
📧 Contact: info@ireta.org
📞 412.258.8560
