# Virginia’s Opioid Settlements *This Community Guide will describe how Virginia is spending its opioid settlements and whether Virginia is working to ensure community access to opioid settlement funds. Last revised September 1, 2024.*

Total Funds

$987.57 million[1]

[1] Total is rounded. See The Official Opioid Settlement Tracker Tally. Accessed September 1, 2024.

Allocation

55% to the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority’s Opioid Abatement Fund, 30% to local governments, and 15% to the Commonwealth


Mechanism

State-Local Agreement (Virginia Opioid Abatement Fund and Settlement Allocation Memorandum of Understanding); Legislation (Va. Code. Ann. Secs. 2.2-2365 through 2.2-2377); Policy (Opioid Abatement Authority “Gold Standard” Policy)

55% Opioid Abatement Fund Share

30% Local Share

15% Commonwealth Share

Ultimate DecisionmakerVirginia Opioid Abatement Authority (for 85% of this share, or 46.75% of VA's total funds) and local officials (for 15% of this share, or 8.25% of VA's total funds)Local officials for cities and countiesVirginia General Assembly
Decision-making Process

The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) oversees expenditures of this share consistent with allocations outlined in the state’s MOU and state law:

  • 15% of the Fund to state agencies
  • 35% of the Fund to Regional Efforts/Cooperative Partnerships
  • 35% of the Fund to “unrestricted” uses

Localities decide how to the spend the 15% of this share that they receive as “OAA Distributions” (but must adhere to the OAA’s rules and comply with its monitoring)

Localities decide autonomouslyThe Virginia General Assembly directs spending through appropriations
SupplantationProhibitedGenerally, not prohibitedNot prohibited
Grant FundingYes. See the OAA’s Grants Info page.Up to each locality (availability and processes will vary)No
Public InputYes (not required, but the OAA accepts public comments at most of its meetings)Up to each locality (not required)No opportunities available (not required)
Advisory Body

Yes (required). See the Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA).

The OAA is not required to include member(s) with lived and/or living experience.

Up to each locality (not required)No (not required)
ExpendituresPublic reporting required. See the annual reports on the OAA’s website (e.g., 2023).Neither public nor intrastate reporting required (see purported availability of uses "upon request." MOU B.5(b)).Neither public nor intrastate reporting required
UpdatesFor updates on the Opioid Abatement Authority share, visit its website, bookmark its News and Updates page, and subscribe to its email list. To find updates on the local share, a good starting point is to check the websites for your county’s board of supervisors, city council, or local health department.A single resource containing updates specific to the Commonwealth share could not be found.
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