The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (OAAC) awarded $10.5 million to the Behavioral Health Conditional Dismissal Pilot Program. Senate Bill 90, A KLC-supported bill legislators passed in the 2022 session, established the program to give people with substance use disorder who are charged with certain non-violent drug crimes a way to receive treatment instead of incarceration.

The General Assembly established the OAAC in 2021. House Bill 427 created the commission to administer the commonwealth’s portion of over $842 million in settlement funds received from opioid companies. Local governments, including 149 cities, received a separate direct allocation last year. All cities can also apply with the OAAC for a portion of the state’s funds to address the impact of opioid use disorders and co-occurring substance use disorders or mental health issues in their community.

“Our commission has diligently undertaken the task of administering the commonwealth’s portion of opioid settlement funds by holding 10 town halls across the commonwealth to hear from Kentuckians harmed by the opioid crisis,” said OAAC Executive Director Bryan Hubbard. “We are pleased to make this first award and look forward to making many more in the days ahead.”

Cities can still apply for OAAC opioid abatement funding here.

The KLC Board of Directors voted the need to battle substance abuse and provide treatment and rehabilitation as a top legislative priority for cities in the 2023 Regular Session.