Opioid Settlement Dollars
Combating the Opioid Epidemic: Trends, Investments, and Settlement Funding
In 2021 and 2022, states and localities reached historic settlements with manufacturers and distributors of opioids for their roles in the opioid epidemic. Now, state and local governments, including Allegheny County, are receiving settlement funds as the result of those lawsuits. Learn more about overdose trends in Allegheny County, annual investments in prevention and treatment, and how the county uses settlement dollars to combat the epidemic with innovative approaches.
Overdose Trends in Allegheny County
Opioid overdoses are a serious concern in Allegheny County, impacting individuals, families, and communities across the region. Every overdose is a tragedy, and most are preventable.
Allegheny County tracks fatal and non-fatal overdoses as one indicator for monitoring ongoing impacts of the opioid epidemic. In 2017, Allegheny County experienced the highest number of fatal overdoses in a single year, losing over 800 people. Since then, Allegheny County has been working diligently to reduce that number, which includes recognizing that all groups haven’t been affected equally.
The county has seen improvement. Preliminary data from 2025 shows a decrease in the number and rate of overdose deaths among all residents. Though rates of overdose among men, particularly Black men, are still higher than the other groups, this number continues to decrease as well. Explore more information about overdose trends in Allegheny County below.
Substance Use Prevention and Treatment: Investments in Allegheny County
Opioid Settlement Investments
In Pennsylvania, the PA Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust was formed to distribute the funds to its counties. The settlement funds are intended to treat opioid use disorders, prevent opioid misuse, and address other harms of the opioid epidemic. The funds must be spent for authorized uses in accordance with Exhibit E of the National Opioid Settlement.
Allegheny County began receiving opioid settlement funds in 2022 and expects to receive a median payment of approximately $7.2 million per year through 2038. Allegheny County departments, including Health, Human Services, and Children’s Initiatives, work together to plan for how the county will distribute the funds.
Examples of projects that have started already include:
- Providing safe syringe service programs
- Piloting incentives for drug treatment adherence (i.e. using a behavioral therapy that uses “rewards” to help people stay on the path to recovery)
- Enhancing treatment and post-incarceration care for Opioid Use Disorder for people in the Allegheny County Jail
- Expanding "warm hand off” capacity and referral mechanisms from local ERs
Settlement Fund Reports and Spending Dashboard
Learn more about how Allegheny County is investing these funds by exploring the fund reports and fiscal dashboard.
Propose a Solution
To propose delivering a solution to the opioid epidemic, submit a proposal to the Department of Human Services.
Where to Get Help
In Allegheny County, Pathway to Care and Recovery is the “front door” to access substance use disorder treatment and recovery services. To get started with treatment help and support, please call 412-325-7550 to talk to a certified peer (24/7) who has been through the treatment and recovery process, or use any of the following resources for more information.