Opioid settlement funds distributed in Virginia and debated in Mills County

Virginia has allocated more than $12.3 million from opioid settlement funds to support 39 projects across 18 state agencies. Managed by the Opioid Abatement Authority, this funding round focuses on prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction efforts, including naloxone distribution and medication-assisted treatment.

In Mills County, local officials are seeking guidance on whether settlement funds can be used for K-9 unit expenses. While the county has received approximately $350,000 from national settlements, the county auditor expressed doubt that K-9 costs meet the state’s criteria for core strategies, which prioritize overdose reversal and addiction treatment programs.