Opioid Settlement Funds
Opioid settlement funds are being awarded as part of litigation brought by states and local political subdivisions against pharmaceutical distributors that inflicted damages through the marketing and misuse of synthetic opioids.
A resolution passed by the City Council in October, 2023, R-23-174, sets forth several requirements that must be met before the City can spend the funds, including an estimated life of settlement fund balance and timeline and solicited input from other local governments. Bernalillo County passed a parallel resolution, AR 2023-105.
Bernalillo County, the City of Albuquerque, and the global health organization Vital Strategies are working together to design and implement a planning process for the strategic use of opioid settlement funds. The county and city are required to contract with an outside entity to help our respective local governments develop a plan of action for use of opioid settlement funds. Vital Strategies is working with SBS Evaluation & Program Development Specialists to conduct outreach and facilitate conversations with community members on how opioid settlement funds should be spent.
A facilitated public planning and meeting process is also being organized to solicit public input on the use of the opioid settlement monies.
How Will Community Members be Included?
Strategy 1: Community outreach
Strategy 2: Host and facilitate five townhalls, one in each of the five County Commission districts
Strategy 3: Host and facilitate seven listening sessions, each tailored to a specific stakeholder group
Strategy 4: Host and facilitate a listening session with City and County lawmakers
Strategy 5: Host at least one townhall session with Pueblos and Native nations
Strategy 6: Administer online survey to City and County community members
Strategy 7: Collect opinions and ideas through e-mail
Stakeholder Groups
- People with lived and living experience
- Lawmakers and other City and County
leadership - Medical and behavioral health leaders
- Black community
- Latinx community
- Urban Native community
- Family members of people who use drugs
- Public health and social services providers
- LGBTQ advocacy and service providers
- Leaders and members of the Pueblos and
Native nations in the geography of Bernalillo County - Youth service providers, and parents of youth and young people
- Educational institutions
- Migrant and immigrant communities
Documents
City of Albuquerque Administrative Resolution
Bernalillo County Administrative Resolution