Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Tuesday he is sending out the first round of payments from the Opioid Abatement Trust Fund.
This initial transfer of $47.1 million represents the first disbursement of funds to cities and counties to address opioid-related harms in their communities, Hegar said. These transfers are expected continue over many years based on the terms of statewide opioid litigation settlement agreements.
“I am pleased to announce we are making these important distributions to local governments to assist in their efforts to counter the effects of opioid abuse in their communities,” Hegar said. “As drug cartels funnel dangerous fentanyl across our southern border, the state of Texas and our local communities stand on the front line of this crisis. We are working tirelessly to ensure these dollars are put to use in the most effective way and to provide resources to entities committed to ending the senseless loss of life associated with the opioid epidemic.”
In addition to the distributions for cities and counties, the Opioid Abatement Trust Fund will also funnel money into the Opioid Abatement Fund Council, which will then use it for distributions to hospital districts and grants to entities working to abate the opioid crisis across the state.
